Climate change accountability works best through Congress, not courtrooms
Key takeaways
- A cyclist rides past the Chevron Products Company refinery, one of California s largest petroleum processing facilities, in El Segundo, Calif., on Friday, April 17, 2026.
- In response, Congress is now weighing new legislation introduced by Rep.
- As a former member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who made conservation a priority during my time in public service, I ve never had any patience for corporations that endanger public health.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
A cyclist rides past the Chevron Products Company refinery, one of California s largest petroleum processing facilities, in El Segundo, Calif., on Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Climate liability lawsuits are cropping up in different states with one common goal: to assign fossil fuel companies retroactive liability for decades of global emissions.
In response, Congress is now weighing new legislation introduced by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) that would halt these lawsuits and invalidate pending cases.
As a former member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who made conservation a priority during my time in public service, I ve never had any patience for corporations that endanger public health. Americans deserve clean air, clean water and responsible stewardship of the environment. The government has a responsibility to pass laws that protect our planet and hold violators accountable.