A Republican bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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, 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
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners benefit from increased predictability and reduced disruption in the movement of their goods.
- Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal jurisdiction and penalties for actions related to commerce and public roads.
- Scored +1
Would farmers be better off under this?
Farmers benefit from the more reliable transport of agricultural commodities.
The opposite· 3 of 6
- Scored -2
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?
By penalizing road blockages, the bill may have a chilling effect on protest-related speech and assembly that involves public roads.
- Scored -2
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The bill may restrict the ability of individuals to engage in protests that obstruct traffic.
- Scored -1
Does this change how police departments operate?
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.
-
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. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — By penalizing road blockages, the bill may have a chilling effect on protest-related speech and assembly that involves public roads. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill introduces new, stricter criminal penalties and potential imprisonment for road obstructions. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill expands federal criminal penalties, which may be viewed as a move toward stricter law enforcement rather than reform.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners benefit from increased predictability and reduced disruption in the movement of their goods. Would farmers be better off under this? — Farmers benefit from the more reliable transport of agricultural commodities. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill could potentially be used to penalize forms of protest or strikes that involve blocking roads.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — By preventing road blockages, the bill aims to facilitate the smooth movement of goods essential for economic activity. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill protects the supply chain and movement of commodities which benefits all commercial entities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal jurisdiction and penalties for actions related to commerce and public roads. Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — By criminalizing road blockages, the bill aids the smooth flow of interstate commerce. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill may restrict the ability of individuals to engage in protests that obstruct traffic. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill increases federal authority over matters that could be addressed by state-level laws.
- 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