Bill · S. 4340· Senate(119-S-4340)
Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/16/2026
- Last activity
- 4/16/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Cruz
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026" aims to prohibit liability against entities involved in the energy industry for damages or relief related to their products. It specifically targets "climate suits" and "energy penalty laws" that seek to hold energy businesses responsible for harms resulting from climate change. The bill declares that the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions is the exclusive jurisdiction of Federal law. Under this Act, qualified liability actions are prohibited in both Federal and State courts. Additionally, any such pending actions must be immediately dismissed upon the bill's enactment. Finally, the bill renders existing energy penalty laws void and of no effect.
Yes· 3 of 10
Does this give the federal government more power?+7
The bill establishes that the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions is the exclusive jurisdiction of Federal law.
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
The bill protects energy businesses from the costs and instability of climate-related litigation.
Does this make it easier to do business across state lines?+3
The bill seeks to regulate interstate commerce by centralizing authority in the federal government.
The opposite· 3 of 7
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-8
The bill voids state laws and limits the ability of states to pursue litigation against energy companies.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-7
The act voids state laws and regulations designed to penalize or regulate energy companies for climate-related harms.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?-6
The bill prohibits legal actions seeking relief for damages caused by weather-related events like floods or wildfires.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Promotion of Affordable Energy: The bill seeks to promote and preserve affordable energy for families and businesses in the United States (Section 2(a)(4); Section 2(b)(2)).
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Increased Economic Productivity: The Act is intended to increase the productivity of the United States economy and strengthen its international trade position (Section 2(a)(2)).
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National Security and Energy Self-Sufficiency: The bill aims to make the United States self-sufficient in energy, which is described as a way to meet the needs of present and future generations and support the readiness of the Armed Forces (Section 2(a)(1); Section 2(a)(3); Section 2(c)(8)).
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Protection of the Energy Industry: The bill aims to prevent the destabilization of industries engaged in lawful commerce and reduce the burden on interstate, Tribal, and foreign commerce (Section 2(c)(7)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Elimination of Legal Recourse for Climate Harms: The Act prohibits "climate suits," which are actions seeking damages or relief for harms resulting directly or indirectly from climate change, including those caused by marketing or failure to warn (Section 3(1)).
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Invalidation of State Laws: The bill renders "energy penalty laws"—which are state laws or regulations requiring compensatory payments from energy businesses for climate-related harms—void and of no effect (Section 3(3); Section 4(c)).
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Immediate Dismissal of Existing Lawsuits: Any pending "qualified liability actions" must be immediately dismissed by the courts upon the enactment of this Act (Section 4(b)).
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Removal of Private Rights of Action: The bill prevents any private right of action or claim from being maintained, implied, or inferred under State law regarding climate change-related harms from greenhouse gas emissions (Section 4(d)(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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Gas Prices+2Improves Environmental Protections-7Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A-6Reduces Carbon Emissions-5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+6Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Veterans+2Good For Urban Residents-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+7Improves Interstate Commerce+3Increase States Rights-8Improves Due Process-5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3Increases Job Creation+3Improves Consumer Protection-6
- 4/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 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.
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah