Next American Era Launches First Paid Media Campaign, A Push for Federal Permitting Reform
Outdated permitting rules are driving up energy costs and delaying the projects American workers and communities need — NAE launches two-track campaign urging Congress to act
WASHINGTON, DC — July 21, 2026 — Next American Era (NAE) today announced its first paid media campaign, a two-month, six-figure advertising effort urging Congress to prioritize federal permitting reform. This marks NAE’s first major installment in paid advertising to move the needle on practical, pragmatic policy priorities since its launch earlier this year. This ad buy reflects the organization’s expanding leadership and growing operational capacity as it works to build support for a pro-growth, pro-worker policy agenda.
The video ad can be found here.
The campaign will run on two tracks. The first urges constituents to contact their lawmakers and ask them to prioritize the kind of permitting reform that will bring good jobs and construction projects to their communities. The second track is focused on awareness to elevate the issue among Hill staff, lobbyists, and policymakers. The states NAE is targeting across tracks include Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington.
Permitting reform is how major energy projects, in particular, actually get off the ground – from the transmission lines that carry power across the grid to the wind and solar farms that generate it. Today, an outdated and overly bureaucratic permitting process routinely delays these projects for years, driving up costs at every stage of construction. NAE believes that streamlining this process would let more projects move from approval to construction faster, creating well-paying construction and skilled-trade jobs in communities across the country, while adding the new energy generation and grid capacity needed to bring down electricity prices for consumers, whose bills have climbed to record highs.
“Permitting reform is exactly the kind of practical, achievable policy that can lower costs for American families and get shovels in the ground on the projects our economy needs,” said Cheri Bustos, President of Next American Era. “This campaign is about making sure the lawmakers who can move this forward hear directly from the people who are paying the price for delay, and that Washington understands just how much support there is for getting this done.”
“Voters have told us clearly that they want results, not more gridlock,” said Joe Crowley, Senior Advisor to NAE. “Federal permitting reform is a prime example of the kind of common-sense policy that can bring people together and deliver real relief for American families and workers. We’re going to keep making that case in Washington and around the country.”
This campaign comes as NAE continues to build momentum for practical, pragmatic policy solutions. It follows the organization releasing new polling with Morning Consult, which found that 60% of voters prefer targeted, practical solutions over sweeping ideological reform and extremes – a preference shared by Progressives (72%) and MAGA Republicans (71%) alike. Across nearly every issue tested, moderate policy approaches consistently outperform both Progressive and MAGA alternatives. The findings underscore a growing desire for an agenda focused on growth, problem solving, and expanding opportunity.
About Next American Era
Next American Era is a national 501(c)(4) organization focused on advancing a pro-growth, pro-consumer, and pro-worker agenda that strengthens communities, fuels innovation, and expands economic opportunity for all Americans. NAE is led by Cheri Bustos, former Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and former U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 17th congressional district.
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