A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Unleashing American Pipelines Act. It makes changes to the Natural Gas Act regarding the judicial review of applications for a certificate of public convenience and necessity. The bill limits which courts can hear certain claims and sets rules for who is allowed to bring a claim. It also establishes a strict deadline of 180 days for filing a claim after an approval date. Additionally, the bill changes the standard of review that courts must use for these claims to clear and convincing evidence. Finally, it gives the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit exclusive jurisdiction over specific claims.
Yes
- Scored +6
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill provides greater certainty for pipeline project approval processes by limiting and streamlining judicial challenges.
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
Energy and pipeline business owners benefit from reduced litigation risk and a higher legal bar for challengers.
- Scored +4
Does this give the federal government more power?
The legislation concentrates original and exclusive jurisdiction over certain claims in the D.C. Circuit and tightens federal standards for judicial review.
The opposite
- Scored -6
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill raises the legal standard of review to clear and convincing evidence and imposes strict standing requirements, making it harder for citizens and associations to challenge agency actions.
- Scored -5
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
The bill facilitates pipeline approvals by restricting legal challenges, which generally supports fossil fuel infrastructure development.
- Scored -5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Rural communities facing pipeline projects face significantly restricted ability to legally challenge approvals.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Direct Harm Protection under Section 2 (adding section (e)(1)(A)(ii)): Only people who have suffered, or likely and imminently will suffer, direct and irreparable economic harm from an approval can bring a claim, which keeps the focus on real and direct impacts.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Strict Association Limits under Section 2 (adding section (e)(1)(B)): An association can only bring a claim on behalf of its members if every single member has suffered or will suffer direct and irreparable economic harm, making it much harder for groups to challenge approvals together.
-
Higher Legal Standard under Section 2 (adding section (e)(2)): Courts must use the standard of clear and convincing evidence instead of substantial evidence when reviewing agency actions, findings, and conclusions, which is a much heavier burden to meet for anyone challenging a decision.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides greater certainty for pipeline project approval processes by limiting and streamlining judicial challenges.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — The bill facilitates pipeline approvals by restricting legal challenges, which generally supports fossil fuel infrastructure development.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation concentrates original and exclusive jurisdiction over certain claims in the D.C. Circuit and tightens federal standards for judicial review. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill raises the legal standard of review to clear and convincing evidence and imposes strict standing requirements, making it harder for citizens and associations to challenge agency actions.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Energy and pipeline business owners benefit from reduced litigation risk and a higher legal bar for challengers. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural communities facing pipeline projects face significantly restricted ability to legally challenge approvals.
- 9/17/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House