"The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s draft reauthorization bill, approved in March, would add 'impairing the operation of' interstate #pipelines, 'damaging or destroying such a facility under construction,' and even 'attempting or conspiring' to do so as felony activities punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
"It’s unclear what 'impairing the operation of' a #pipeline could entail. If interpreted broadly, #climate advocates say such provisions could send #activists to prison for exercising their #FreeSpeech rights.
"The Energy and Commerce Committee’s chair, Rep. #CathyMcMorrisRodgers (R-Wash.), has received nearly $289,000 from the oil and gas industry for the 2024 election cycle and is currently number 12 on a list of the top 20 recipients from the industry this year. Rep. #AugustPfluger (R-Texas), who is also on the committee, is the top recipient on that list, having received more than $579,000."