W.A.R. Act Wartime Anti-Profiteering and Relief Act

Bill Number

H.R. 8214

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Taxation

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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

2026-04-21T22:21:34Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation provides temporary, targeted relief to middle-income U.S. households affected by higher energy and living costs linked to the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. It also establishes federal prohibitions against price gouging in essential goods during the emergency period and requires a study on related state laws.

Key Provisions

• Title I – War Inflation Emergency Middle-Class Relief
• Creates a refundable tax credit against federal income tax for middle-income households (annual income between $80,000 and $160,000).
• The credit amount is set by the Secretary of the Treasury to offset average increases in commuting, grocery, and utility costs attributable to the conflict, adjusted for family size and region.
• Eligibility requires U.S. taxpayer status and excludes nonresident aliens.
• The credit phases out automatically once the President notifies Congress of a ceasefire and the Secretary of Energy and Secretary of the Treasury jointly certify that energy prices have normalized for at least 180 consecutive days.

• Title II – Anti-Price Gouging in Energy and Essential Goods
• Prohibits “grossly excessive” price increases on motor fuel, diesel, home heating fuels, electricity, and essential consumer staples during the designated emergency period, unless justified by additional costs.
• Defines covered entities as wholesalers or retailers of these goods.
• Authorizes enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ), including injunctive relief, civil penalties, and consumer restitution.
• Preserves existing state price-gouging laws and enforcement authority.
• Directs the FTC to study state and local price-gouging enforcement during the conflict and submit a report to Congress within 18 months, including recommendations on a potential permanent federal standard.
• Includes a sunset clause terminating all authorities at the end of the designated emergency period, with ongoing investigations or liabilities permitted to continue.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new, temporary refundable tax credit not previously available under the Internal Revenue Code.
• Establishes a federal prohibition on price gouging specifically tied to this conflict, expanding FTC and DOJ authority beyond general unfair-trade-practice rules.
• Requires an FTC study and report on state laws with possible recommendations for new federal legislation.

Potential Impacts

• Citizens: Provides direct financial relief to middle-income households and protects consumers from excessive price increases in fuel, heating, and staples.
• Government Agencies: Expands roles for the Treasury (credit administration), FTC (enforcement and study), DOJ (civil actions), and Department of Energy (price-normalization certifications).
• International Relations: No direct provisions; the Act references the conflict only for defining the emergency period.
• States: Maintains concurrent enforcement authority but does not alter existing state laws.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Middle-income households ($80,000–$160,000 income).
• Businesses selling transportation fuels, home heating fuels, electricity, and essential consumer staples.
• Federal agencies (Treasury, FTC, DOJ, Energy Department).
• State attorneys general.
• Congress (recipient of the FTC report).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Defines the conflict by reference to presidential determinations under the War Powers Resolution.
• Creates time-limited authorities with explicit sunset and phase-out mechanisms.
• Relies on existing FTC Act enforcement procedures rather than new regulatory structures.
• Preserves state authority, avoiding preemption issues.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]

Recent Actions

• 2026-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
• 2026-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
• 2026-04-09: Introduced in House
• 2026-04-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• W.A.R. Act Wartime Anti-Profiteering and Relief Act — issued 2026-04-09 — PDF (12 pages)