To the editor — Every time a climate disaster hits, we see the same thing. Families lose homes. Roads are damaged. Taxpayers pay to fix it. At the same time, oil and gas companies make big profits.

These companies have known for many years that pollution harms our climate. But they have misled the public. Now, their lobbyists want Congress to give them full legal immunity.

A new bill, the so-called “Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026†(HR 8330; SB.4340), would protect oil and gas companies from being held responsible for the damage they helped cause.

I have seen how hard it is for communities to recover from floods, wildfires and extreme heat, all disasters made worse by fossil fuel pollution.

It does not have to be this way. Instead of taxpayers shouldering the cost, the companies that profited from creating this mess should help fund the rebuilding of roads, homes, schools and critical infrastructure. If you make a mess, you should clean it up.

I urge Congress to say no to this bill and protect our right to hold big companies accountable.

COLEEN ANDERSON

Yakima

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