S.170 - Banning In Government Oil Industry Lobbyists from the Cabinet Act; BIG OIL from the Cabinet Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.170, also known as the "Banning In Government Oil Industry Lobbyists from the Cabinet Act" or the "BIG OIL from the Cabinet Act," aims to prevent individuals with recent ties to the fossil fuel industry from holding key positions in various government departments and agencies. This bill defines specific roles, such as covered department heads and covered political appointees, and prohibits the appointment of individuals who have served as executive officers or lobbyists for fossil fuel entities within the 10 years preceding their potential appointment. The bill seeks to limit the influence of the fossil fuel industry on governmental policy-making.
The bill defines key terms like "fossil fuel entity," "fossil fuel lobbyist," and "executive officer" to clarify the scope of the restrictions. It explicitly excludes individuals working on renewable energy within fossil fuel entities from the definition of "executive officer."
The bill's primary objective is to reduce potential conflicts of interest and ensure that governmental decisions are not unduly influenced by the fossil fuel industry.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to restrict the pool of candidates eligible for certain high-level government positions. This could lead to a shift in policy-making, potentially favoring renewable energy and environmental protection over fossil fuel interests.
It could also lead to increased scrutiny of potential appointees' backgrounds and affiliations. This may also encourage individuals with expertise in renewable energy to seek government positions.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced potential for conflicts of interest in governmental decision-making.
- Increased focus on environmental protection and climate action within government agencies.
- Greater public trust in government officials by limiting the influence of the fossil fuel industry.
- Potential for policies that favor renewable energy and sustainable practices.
- Encourages a more diverse range of candidates for government positions.
Potential Disadvantages
- Limits the pool of qualified candidates for key government positions, potentially excluding individuals with valuable industry experience.
- May be perceived as discriminatory towards individuals with a background in the fossil fuel industry.
- Could lead to a lack of understanding of the complexities of the energy sector within government.
- Potential for unintended consequences if individuals with relevant expertise are excluded from advisory roles.
- May face legal challenges based on equal opportunity or due process concerns.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality could be debated under the principle of equal protection, as it potentially discriminates against individuals based on their past employment. However, the government could argue that the restriction is necessary to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure impartial decision-making, which aligns with the government's responsibility to promote the general welfare. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights, such as freedom of speech or religion (Amendments I and II).
Article I, Section 9, Clause 3, prohibits Congress from passing bills of attainder, which punish individuals without a trial. This bill does not appear to be a bill of attainder, as it sets forth general rules for qualification for office, rather than targeting specific individuals for punishment. The appointments clause (Article II, Section 2, Clause 2) gives the President the power to appoint officers of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate. This bill places restrictions on who the President can appoint, which could be seen as an infringement on this power, although Congress has the power to set qualifications for holding office.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).