Bill · S. 2115· Senate(119-S-2115)
Safe and Open Streets Act
- Introduced
- 6/18/2025
- Last activity
- 6/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Thomas Tillis
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Safe and Open Streets Act," seeks to amend title 18 of the United States Code. It aims to establish a new criminal penalty for interfering with commerce by blocking public roads. Under this act, it would be unlawful to purposely obstruct, delay, or affect the movement of articles or commodities in commerce by blocking a public road or highway. The bill also covers attempts or conspiracies to perform such actions. Violators could face fines and imprisonment for up to 5 years.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+2
Business owners benefit from increased predictability and reduced disruption in the movement of their goods.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill expands federal jurisdiction and penalties for actions related to commerce and public roads.
Would farmers be better off under this?+1
Farmers benefit from the more reliable transport of agricultural commodities.
The opposite· 3 of 6
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?-2
By penalizing road blockages, the bill may have a chilling effect on protest-related speech and assembly that involves public roads.
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?-2
The bill may restrict the ability of individuals to engage in protests that obstruct traffic.
Does this change how police departments operate?-1
The bill expands federal criminal penalties, which may be viewed as a move toward stricter law enforcement rather than reform.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Establishment of Criminal Penalties: The bill creates a legal consequence for those who purposely obstruct or delay the movement of goods and commerce by blocking public roads or highways (Section 2(a)(1)). This provides a specific penalty for such actions.
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Strict Penalties for Obstruction: The provision includes fines and the possibility of up to 5 years in prison for anyone who violates the law by blocking roads or conspiring to do so (Section 2(a)(1)-(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- New Criminal Penalties: Individuals who purposely obstruct, delay, or affect the movement of any article or commodity in commerce by blocking a public road or highway could face fines and up to 5 years in prison (Section 2(a)(1)-(2)).
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-2Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform-1Improves Policing Reform-1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2Good For Farmers+1Good For Union Workers-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-2Increase States Rights-1
- 6/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Tommy TubervilleRepublican · Alabama