Stop the Trump Electricity Price Hikes Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5673

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-10-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-12-11T15:39:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 5673: Stop the Trump Electricity Price Hikes Act

Purpose

This bill aims to reverse the termination of certain financial assistance awards by the Department of Energy (DOE), ensuring that these awards continue without interruption. The short title suggests an intent to prevent potential increases in electricity prices, though the text focuses on reinstating funding rather than directly addressing prices.

Key Provisions

• Reinstatement of Awards: All financial assistance awards (such as grants or loans) that were ended by the DOE under a specific memorandum titled "Ensuring Responsibility for Financial Assistance," dated May 15, 2025, are automatically reinstated.
• Override Clause: The reinstatements take effect regardless of any conflicting laws ("notwithstanding any other provision of law"), treating the terminations as if they never happened.
• The bill was introduced on October 3, 2025, by Representative Barragán and numerous co-sponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This legislation directly counters executive actions by the DOE, specifically overriding terminations made via the 2025 memorandum.
• It introduces a congressional mandate to restore funding, which could limit the DOE's discretion in managing financial assistance programs without needing further administrative review.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The DOE would be required to resume and administer previously terminated awards, potentially straining resources or altering ongoing energy-related programs.
• On Citizens: Could support continued funding for energy projects (e.g., renewable energy or infrastructure), possibly stabilizing or lowering electricity costs for consumers by preventing disruptions in supported initiatives.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though if awards involve international energy collaborations, reinstatement might maintain U.S. commitments abroad.
• Overall, it may accelerate energy projects that were halted, benefiting sectors like clean energy development.

Main Stakeholders

• Recipients of DOE Awards: Organizations, businesses, or projects (likely in energy sectors such as renewables, efficiency, or grid improvements) that lost funding due to the terminations.
• Department of Energy: As the agency directly affected, it must implement the reinstatements.
• Energy Consumers and Utilities: Indirectly impacted through potential effects on electricity supply and pricing.
• Congressional Sponsors: Primarily Democratic representatives, indicating partisan interest in reversing specific executive decisions.
• Environmental and Energy Advocacy Groups: Could benefit if reinstated awards support sustainable energy goals.

Notable Implications

• Legal: The "notwithstanding" language gives the bill strong authority to override prior DOE actions and other laws, potentially setting a precedent for congressional intervention in agency decisions. It may lead to legal challenges if viewed as unduly interfering with executive authority.
• Constitutional: Raises questions about the balance of powers, as Congress asserts control over executive branch funding decisions, aligning with its constitutional role in appropriations but possibly conflicting with administrative discretion.
• Political: The bill's title explicitly references "Trump," implying a response to actions associated with a prior administration, which could fuel partisan debates on energy policy and federal spending. If enacted, it might influence future executive memos on financial oversight.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

Cosponsors (49)

Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]

Recent Actions

• 2025-10-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-10-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-10-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Stop the Trump Electricity Price Hikes Act — issued 2025-10-03 — PDF (2 pages)