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HR4015119th Congress

Safe and Open Streets Act

Sponsored By: Representative Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a federal crime for blocking public roads that interferes with commerce. The bill would make it unlawful to purposely obstruct, delay, or affect commerce by blocking a public road or highway, punishable by fines or up to 5 years in prison, and it removes the phrase "by threats or violence" from related headings and cross-references.

Show full summary
  • Individuals who block roads would face a federal offense carrying fines and up to 5 years in prison.
  • Businesses and the movement of goods gain a federal enforcement tool to address actions that obstruct commerce on public roads.
  • The U.S. Code is updated by striking "by threats or violence" from the section heading and cross-references so the language aligns with the new, non-violence-specific offense.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

New federal crime for blocking roads

If enacted, it would be a federal crime to purposely block a public road or highway to interfere with commerce. Attempts and plans to do this would also be crimes. Penalties could include fines and up to 5 years in prison. The change would take effect upon enactment.

RICO cases narrowed: robbery and extortion removed

The bill would remove robbery and extortion from the list of crimes that can trigger RICO cases. Prosecutors and private plaintiffs would have fewer grounds to bring RICO charges or suits in some situations. This would take effect upon enactment.

Wiretap law removes threats-or-violence wording

The bill would strike the words "by threats or violence" from two federal cross-references. It would update the wiretap-authorization list and a related Title 5 reference. Agencies and courts would read those rules without that phrase. The change would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 6/13/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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