News & Analysis
May 21, 2026
As communities across the country get closer to putting Big Oil companies on trial for their climate deception, Republican lawmakers have introduced bills that aim to shield fossil fuel companies from any laws or lawsuits that could hold them accountable. Former three-term Washington Governor and climate champion Jay Inslee recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to warn members of Congress about Big Oil’s lobbying campaign to escape accountability and urge them to oppose it.
“Americans deserve not to be lied to by big corporations — they should be subject to the same laws everybody is subject to,” Inslee said. “We should have no kings in the White House and no kings saying they’re above the law.”
The bills, introduced by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY) in the Senate and House respectively, seek to eliminate all existing and future climate accountability efforts against fossil fuel companies, including climate deception lawsuits and climate superfund laws.
Following Inslee’s visit, nearly a dozen members of Congress have already spoken in opposition to the bills, raising concerns of the oil and gas industry being placed above the law, similar to the 2005 law giving gun manufacturers a legal liability shield.
"This bill would slam the door on holding fossil fuel polluters accountable and shift the burden onto New Yorkers,” said Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “Polluters should pay for the climate damage they caused, not taxpayers."
“I want to make sure our caucus is prepared for the fight that lies ahead because it is critical that the actors responsible for causing and worsening the climate crisis can be held accountable in the judiciary system,” Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said in a briefing to the House of Representatives’ Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition
Thousands of people have signed a petition urging Congress to protect communities’ ability to hold powerful corporations accountable and reject efforts to give Big Oil companies legal immunity.
