Bill · H.R. 4015· House(119-HR-4015)
Safe and Open Streets Act
- Introduced
- 6/13/2025
- Last activity
- 6/13/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- David Rouzer
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Safe and Open Streets Act aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code. It seeks to establish a new criminal penalty for interfering with commerce by blocking public roads. This includes actions that purposely obstruct, delay, or affect the movement of articles or commodities in commerce. The bill would also make attempting or conspiring to block roads unlawful. Additionally, it includes conforming amendments to various sections of the United States Code.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+2
Business owners benefit from more predictable and unhindered transport of goods and commodities.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill expands federal jurisdiction by establishing new criminal penalties under Title 18 for road obstruction.
Would farmers be better off under this?+1
Farmers benefit from more reliable transport of their agricultural products to market.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?-3
The bill creates criminal penalties for blocking roads, which could potentially be used to target political demonstrations or free speech activities.
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?-3
The bill establishes criminal penalties for actions that could potentially impact public protest and free expression.
Does this change how police departments operate?-2
The bill expands criminal penalties for specific types of protest-related disruptions, which some may view as a restriction on civil disobedience.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Criminal Penalties for Road Obstruction: Under Section 2(a)(1), the bill makes it unlawful to purposely obstruct or delay commerce by blocking a public road or highway. This provides a legal mechanism to penalize those who attempt or conspire to block the movement of goods and commodities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Imprisonment and Fines: According to Section 2(a)(2), any person found in violation of the new law could face a fine or imprisonment for up to 5 years.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Freedom Of Speech-3Improves Policing Reform-2Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform-1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2Good For Farmers+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+1Improves Small Business Support+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2Improves Interstate Commerce+1Improves Freedom Of Speech-3
- 6/13/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Chuck EdwardsRepublican · North Carolina