Bills · S 170
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 170Oil and gasCoal
BIG OIL from the Cabinet Act
INTRO JAN 21· LAST ACTION JAN 21
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it addresses concerns about the influence of specific industries on government policy. If this bill becomes law, it would significantly restrict who can lead key federal departments and agencies responsible for energy, environmental protection, and climate issues, preventing those with recent, direct ties to the fossil fuel industry from holding these powerful roles. This could lead to policy decisions that are perceived as more independent from industry interests.
Conversely, if the bill does not pass, the current rules would remain in place, allowing presidents to appoint individuals with recent experience as fossil fuel executives or lobbyists to these positions. The debate around this bill highlights differing views on whether direct industry experience is a valuable asset or a potential conflict of interest in government leadership, impacting how America navigates its energy future and environmental challenges.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Prohibits individuals who have served as executive officers or lobbyists for fossil fuel entities or trade associations within the last 10 years from holding specific government positions.
This directly limits the pool of candidates for high-level government roles based on recent industry affiliation, aiming to reduce perceived conflicts of interest.
PROVISION 02
Defines a wide range of 'covered department heads' and 'covered political appointees' that would be subject to this prohibition, including Secretaries of Energy, Interior, Transportation, and EPA Administrator.
It identifies the specific powerful roles in government that this ban would apply to, showing the breadth of its potential impact on policy-making.
PROVISION 03
Excludes individuals working for fossil fuel entities in divisions principally responsible for research, development, or deployment of wind, solar, or other renewable energy sources from the definition of an 'executive officer' subject to the ban.
This provision clarifies that the bill targets ties to traditional fossil fuel extraction and production, not necessarily all employees of companies that also invest in renewables.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· Massachusetts
YRS IN OFFICE
51
BILLS LED
160
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 21
Introduced in Senate
JAN 21
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 170
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 21, 2025
Last actionJan 21, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 21, 2025
Senate BillS 170Oil and gasCoal
BIG OIL from the Cabinet Act
INTRODUCED JAN 21, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 21, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
