Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced
Summary
A nationwide shield against climate liability litigation. This bill would declare regulation of greenhouse gas emissions exclusively a federal responsibility and bar climate-related claims and state energy penalty laws from targeting energy producers, processors, and distributors.
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- Energy companies would be protected from climate-related damages and injunctive relief, and the bill would limit retroactive liability for otherwise lawful energy-sector conduct.
- States would be blocked from using state energy penalty laws or state-level climate liability mechanisms to pursue damages or other remedies tied to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Private parties, including trade associations, would be prohibited from filing, pursuing, or enforcing climate suits, and courts would be required to dismiss qualified liability actions pending at enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Block state climate lawsuits against energy businesses
If enacted, this bill would say greenhouse gas regulation is governed only by federal law and agencies. It would bar any "climate suit" or similar qualified liability action against people engaged in the energy business. Pending qualifying cases would have to be dismissed when the bill becomes law. It would void State "energy penalty laws" that require payments or liability for climate harms. The bill would also define terms like "climate suit" and who counts as an energy business.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
AR • R
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov