"The House Judiciary Committee will consider the Stop Climate Shakedowns Act as the Trump administration moves to roll back federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions."
"Republicans in Congress are continuing their efforts to shield the fossil fuel industry from legal liability for its role in unleashing the heat-trapping gases linked to a cascade of deadly, record-setting disasters across the globe.
On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to debate and vote on a bill introduced in April by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) titled the “Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026.” The sweeping bill aims to “prohibit liability against those engaged in the mining, extraction, production, refinement, transportation, distribution, marketing, manufacture, or sale of energy for damages or injunctive or other relief.”
The bill says that linking fossil fuel emissions to climate-related disasters lacks “scientific credibility”—a claim contradicted by decades of scientific research. If made law, it would give fossil fuel companies broad immunity from lawsuits stemming from these events.
A companion bill introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and three fellow Senate Republicans would similarly thwart lawsuits against the industry on the same basis. Both Wyoming and Texas are major fossil fuel-producing states."
Georgina Gustin reports for Inside Climate News September 15, 2026.
