Republican lawmakers are introducing legislation to shield oil and gas companies from being held liable for the burning of their products, advancing a long-held industry priority.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) on Friday unveiled the “Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026” to prevent “leftist legal crusades” they say have delayed or blocked energy projects.
“Energy security is national security, and we will not self-sabotage our critical industries with a cascade of costly lawsuits and extreme penalties that jeopardize American drilling,” Hageman said in a press release. “America’s energy producers should be protected from the dangerous legal precedent that would be set by the retroactive punishment of lawful activity.”
The legislation is highly unlikely to secure the 60 votes needed in the Senate but represents an ambitious attempt by the energy industry and its GOP allies to pursue a top priority before one or both chambers potentially flip in the midterms.
