U.S. Senator Mike Lee of Utah announced on Apr. 21 that he is cosponsoring the Stop Climate Shakedowns Act, a bill designed to prevent lawsuits targeting American energy producers over climate-related issues. The legislation, led by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and also supported by Senators Ted Budd of North Carolina and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, aims to prohibit such lawsuits in both state and federal courts. Representative Harriet Hageman introduced a similar measure in the House.
The issue addresses growing concerns among some lawmakers about what they describe as an increase in legal actions aimed at penalizing traditional energy industries. Supporters argue that these lawsuits could harm workers and raise costs for consumers.
“America’s energy producers take hit after hit from climate extremists who target them with excessive lawsuits,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Our bill will stop the climate shakedown and end lawfare against the energy workers keeping America’s lights on.”
Cruz said, “Radical environmental groups have waged a coordinated campaign to weaponize our judicial system against American energy producers, including many in Texas. They’re using meritless lawsuits to bankrupt our energy industry, kill good paying jobs, and drive up the cost of electricity and gasoline for hardworking families. I am proud to lead this bill to stop that abuse to protect American jobs, lower energy costs, and defend American energy dominance.”
According to the official website, Lee has championed constitutional principles and individual liberty as a U.S. senator. He grew up in Provo, Utah as a fourth-generation Utahn according to his official biography, is the son of Rex E. Lee—a legal scholar—and earned degrees from Brigham Young University according to his official website.
The proposed legislation would also void any state-imposed penalty laws related to emissions or other climate harms that impact interstate or global activity—effectively blocking states from offering forums for such suits nationwide.
Lee serves as U.S senator for Utah according to his official website and promotes constitutional principles along with limited government policies as reported by his office.
Representative Hageman added: “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.”
