Line 5 Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4043

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-17: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2025-07-17T22:08:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Line 5 Act" (H.R. 4043) aims to protect a specific international agreement between the United States and Canada by legally prohibiting the U.S. President or any appointed official from taking actions that violate it. This agreement, signed in 1977, governs the operation and transit of oil and gas pipelines crossing the U.S.-Canada border, particularly focusing on ensuring uninterrupted energy transport.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Violations: The bill states that, regardless of any conflicting U.S. law, the President or any designee (such as an agency head or official) is barred from breaching the 1977 Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada Concerning Transit Pipelines (formally known as TIAS 8720).
• Scope: The restriction applies broadly to prevent any executive actions that could undermine the agreement's terms, which emphasize the safe and continuous operation of cross-border pipelines.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This legislation introduces a new statutory barrier that overrides ("notwithstanding") other U.S. laws, creating an explicit legal shield for the 1977 agreement.
• It does not amend existing pipeline regulations or environmental laws directly but prioritizes compliance with this international treaty, potentially limiting executive flexibility in areas like energy policy or border infrastructure decisions.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Executive branch agencies (e.g., Department of State or Energy) may face restrictions on decisions affecting cross-border pipelines, requiring them to align all actions with the 1977 agreement to avoid legal challenges.
• On Citizens: U.S. residents in energy-dependent regions (e.g., Midwest states relying on Canadian oil imports) could benefit from stable energy supplies, but environmental advocates might see delays in efforts to shut down or reroute pipelines due to pollution risks.
• On International Relations: Strengthens U.S.-Canada ties by committing to treaty obligations, potentially reducing bilateral disputes over energy infrastructure like the Line 5 pipeline, which runs from Canada through Michigan to refineries.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. and Canadian Governments: Both nations' officials must adhere to the agreement, affecting diplomatic and regulatory coordination.
• Pipeline Operators: Companies like Enbridge (operator of Line 5) gain legal protection for continued operations, reducing risks of shutdowns.
• State Governments: Entities like Michigan's government, which has sought to decommission parts of Line 5 over environmental concerns, may face federal limitations.
• Energy Consumers and Industries: Refineries, manufacturers, and households in the U.S. Midwest could experience more reliable fuel supplies.
• Environmental and Indigenous Groups: Organizations concerned with water contamination (e.g., in the Great Lakes) might find their advocacy efforts complicated by the bill's protections.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Reinforces the status of international agreements as binding under U.S. law, potentially allowing courts to block executive actions that violate the treaty; however, it could lead to lawsuits if perceived as conflicting with domestic laws like the Clean Water Act.
• Constitutional Implications: Raises questions about separation of powers, as Congress is asserting limits on presidential authority in foreign affairs and treaty implementation, which the executive traditionally handles.
• Political Implications: Highlights ongoing debates over energy security versus environmental protection, with the bill likely appealing to pro-energy lawmakers while drawing opposition from those prioritizing climate goals; its introduction in 2025 reflects partisan divides on U.S.-Canada energy relations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-17: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-06-17: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-17: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Line 5 Act — issued 2025-06-17 — PDF (2 pages)