Collins to Introduce House Companion Bill to Criminalize Intentional Obstruction of Interstate Highways

Washington, D.C.—Today, Representative Mike Collins (R-Ga.) announced that he will introduce the House Companion to S. 192, the Safe Passage on Interstates Act, legislation that would make the intentional obstruction of interstate highways illegal. 

The bill was first introduced in the Senate by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) on January 31, 2023. 

Rep. Mike Collins said, “This legislation is critical for the freedom of transportation and safety on our roads. Millions of Americans depend on interstate highways to conduct everyday activities. By blocking and impeding traffic, protestors risk not only their safety but the safety of others and impede first responders from reaching community emergencies. This bill gives law enforcement the tools necessary to deal with people who intentionally block highways like the pro-Hamas activists who caused mass traffic disruption across D.C. earlier this month."

Sen. Marco Rubio said, “Pro-Hamas radicals and other protesters who block highways disrupt law-abiding Americans from driving to work, school buses from getting kids to school, and ambulances from getting to the hospital. Several states already prohibit this conduct; however, there is no federal law against this type of stunt. It’s time for Congress to do its part. We need to make sure people face criminal penalties for blocking interstate systems that we all rely on.”

Background

While some states have laws criminalizing the act of blocking interstate highways, no such law exists at a federal level. 

In general, the Safe Passage on Interstates Act would make it unlawful to knowingly engage in an activity on an interstate highway with the intent to obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of the interstate highway.

###