LIHEAP Staffing Support Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3876
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-10: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T08:09:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The LIHEAP Staffing Support Act (H.R. 3876) aims to strengthen the administration of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to maintain a minimum level of dedicated federal staff. This ensures reliable support for providing energy assistance to low-income households, particularly during emergencies, while limiting reliance on outside contractors.
Key Provisions
- Minimum Staffing Requirement: The Secretary of HHS must employ at least 20 full-time federal staff dedicated to carrying out LIHEAP activities.
- Contractor Limitations: No more than 40% of the staff working on LIHEAP can be contractors (non-federal hires), except in specific emergency situations.
- Emergency Staffing Rules: During declared emergencies—such as energy supply disruptions, extreme weather, or public health crises related to energy needs—the Secretary must increase staffing to at least 30 federal employees. This ramp-up must begin within 45 days of the emergency declaration and last at least 180 days. Contractors can temporarily exceed the 40% limit to meet this requirement.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 by adding a new section (2613) on staffing. Previously, the law did not specify minimum federal staffing levels or contractor caps for LIHEAP administration, leaving such decisions to agency discretion. These additions impose mandatory minimums to prioritize in-house federal expertise over outsourced labor.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HHS will need to hire and retain more federal employees, potentially increasing administrative costs and workload for recruitment and training. This could improve program efficiency and responsiveness but strain budgets if funding does not increase.
- On Citizens: Low-income households relying on LIHEAP for help with heating, cooling, or energy bills may benefit from more stable and expert program management, leading to faster aid delivery, especially in crises. However, any delays in staffing could temporarily disrupt services.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic energy assistance programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government (HHS): Directly responsible for compliance, including hiring and managing staff.
- Low-Income Households: Primary beneficiaries of LIHEAP, who depend on timely energy aid to afford utilities.
- Contractors and Vendors: Those previously involved in LIHEAP administration may see reduced opportunities due to the contractor cap.
- State and Local Agencies: They administer LIHEAP grants but could experience smoother federal oversight and support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill enforces staffing through statutory mandates, which could lead to enforceable lawsuits if HHS fails to comply (e.g., via judicial review under administrative law). It aligns with existing emergency powers in LIHEAP without expanding them.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it involves Congress directing executive branch operations within HHS's authority, consistent with separation of powers.
- Political: Promotes a "government-first" approach to social services by favoring federal employees over contractors, potentially appealing to those advocating for reduced outsourcing. It may spark debates on federal spending and workforce expansion in energy assistance programs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Cosponsors (48)
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-10: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-10: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- LIHEAP Staffing Support Act — issued 2025-06-10 — PDF (2 pages)