WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 1, 2026 – INCOMPAS, the competitive communications and AI infrastructure association, released the following statement on the introduction of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, Sheldon Whitehouse, Mike Lee, and Martin Heinrich.
The following statement can be attributed to Chip Pickering, CEO of INCOMPAS:
“INCOMPAS applauds Sens. Capito, Whitehouse, Lee and Heinrich for delivering a bipartisan path forward on permitting reform. This legislation represents an important opportunity to accelerate the energy and infrastructure projects needed to support America’s AI future.
For INCOMPAS members, permitting reform must translate into infrastructure coming online faster. That means timely, coordinated reviews, predictable decisions and fewer duplicative hurdles. It also means expanding generation and transmission capacity, improving grid access and advancing complementary reforms that speed fiber deployment and data center construction. These systems must grow together if America is going to compete and win. Together, congressional and FCC action will deliver the comprehensive legislative and regulatory reforms that AI infrastructure needs. We look forward to the House and Senate passing this legislation.”
Permitting Reform a Vital Focus of INCOMPAS Advocacy:
Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
Earlier this year at the INCOMPAS Policy Summit Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, joined Pickering to discuss how permitting delays raise costs for consumers and what it will take to move reform through the Senate.
Broadband Permitting and Infrastructure Deployment: Accelerating Community Connectivity
The “Broadband and Infrastructure Deployment” permitting panel at the INCOMPAS Policy Summit, brought together fiber providers to discuss shot clocks, railroad crossings, pole attachments and the use of Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment funds to help localities process permits.
