What This Bill Does
This bill creates a new federal crime for intentionally blocking Interstate highways. The law targets people who deliberately delay traffic, stand near vehicles, or endanger safe movement on Interstate highways with the goal of obstructing normal use of these roads.
Who It Affects
People who intentionally obstruct Interstate highways. Federal prosecutors and courts enforcing the new law. Drivers and emergency responders using Interstate highways.
Key Provisions
• It becomes illegal to knowingly engage in activities that obstruct the free, convenient and normal use of Interstate highways, including deliberately delaying traffic, standing or approaching motor vehicles, or endangering safe vehicle movement. (Sec. 2(b)(1) and (b)(2))
• People convicted of violating this law face fines up to $10,000, imprisonment up to 15 years, or both. (Sec. 2(c)(1))
• People who obstruct emergency vehicles (such as ambulances or fire trucks) while violating this law face fines up to $15,000, imprisonment up to 20 years, or both. (Sec. 2(c)(2))
• If someone dies as a result of violating this law, the person can be fined the applicable amount, imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both. (Sec. 2(c)(3))
• This law does not apply to lawful activities conducted or authorized by the United States, a state, or a local government. (Sec. 2(b)(3))
What Changes
Federal law will criminalize intentional Interstate highway obstruction, which is not currently a federal crime under the specific language in this bill.
Important Definitions
Interstate highway: a highway on the Interstate System as defined in federal transportation law.
Effective Date
Not specified in bill text
II
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. 192
To criminalize the intentional obstruction of roadways on the Interstate
System.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
JANUARY 31, 2023
Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. CRAMER) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To criminalize the intentional obstruction of roadways on
the Interstate System.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
3
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Safe Passage on Inter-
4
states Act of 2023’’.
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SEC. 2. OBSTRUCTION OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS.
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(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 65 of title 18, United
7
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
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lowing:
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•S 192 IS
‘‘§ 1370. Obstruction of interstate highways
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‘‘(a) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘inter-
2
state highway’ means a highway on the Interstate System
3
(as defined in section 101(a) of title 23).
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‘‘(b) OFFENSE.—
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‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—It shall be unlawful to
6
knowingly engage in an activity described in para-
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graph (2) on an interstate highway with the intent
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to obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of
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the interstate highway.
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‘‘(2) ACTIVITIES
DESCRIBED.—The activities
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described in this paragraph are—
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‘‘(A) deliberately delaying traffic on an
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interstate highway;
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‘‘(B) standing or approaching a motor ve-
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hicle on an interstate highway; or
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‘‘(C) endangering the safe movement of a
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motor vehicle on an interstate highway.
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‘‘(3) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not
19
apply to any lawful activity conducted or authorized
20
by the United States, a State, or a political subdivi-
21
sion of a State.
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‘‘(c) PENALTIES.—
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‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Any person who violates
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subsection (b) shall be fined not more than $10,000,
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imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both.
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•S 192 IS
‘‘(2) OBSTRUCTION
OF
EMERGENCY
VEHI-
1
CLE.—Any person who, in the course of violating
2
subsection (b), knowingly obstructs the passage of
3
an authorized emergency vehicle (as defined in sec-
4
tion 1001.4 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations,
5
or any successor regulation) shall be fined not more
6
than $15,000, imprisoned for not more than 20
7
years, or both.
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‘‘(3) VIOLATION RESULTING IN DEATH.—Any
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person who commits a violation of subsection (b)
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that results in the death of any other person shall
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be fined not more than the applicable amount under
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paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, imprisoned
13
for any term of years or for life, or both.’’.
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(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—
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The table of sections for chapter 65 of title 18, United
16
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
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lowing:
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‘‘1370. Obstruction of interstate highways.’’.
Æ
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