Sponsors (10)
The bill ensures vulnerable households continue receiving critical energy assistance during funding gaps, trading off open-ended federal costs and potential budgetary and administrative complications.
Low-income households (including elderly, disabled, and families) keep receiving LIHEAP heating and cooling assistance during federal funding lapses, preventing loss of energy aid and reducing health risks in extreme temperatures.
State governments and program administrators retain a predictable funding flow for emergency energy assistance during funding lapses, avoiding administrative disruption and helping ensure uninterrupted program operations.
Federal taxpayers face increased open-ended costs because the Treasury covers LIHEAP payments during shutdowns without specified caps, raising federal outlays during funding lapses.
Automatically funding LIHEAP during appropriation gaps may reduce incentives for timely congressional appropriations and complicate budget enforcement, potentially eroding fiscal discipline.
HHS and state agencies could incur extra administrative burden to obligate, track, and report open-ended emergency payments during lapses without clear amounts or fiscal-year limits, complicating program management.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows the Treasury to supply whatever funds are necessary so LIHEAP payments by states continue during a lapse in discretionary appropriations.
Official title: To provide funding for LIHEAP during a Federal Government shutdown.
Introduced October 14, 2025 by Raul Ruiz · Last progress October 14, 2025
Provides emergency appropriations authority so states can continue Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payments during a lapse in discretionary appropriations (a government shutdown). It directs the Treasury to supply “such sums as are necessary” to allow payments under current LIHEAP grant law to be made during the funding lapse. The funding applies only to payments made during the lapse period and does not set limits or change the underlying LIHEAP program rules; it simply ensures continuity of benefit payments when regular appropriations are unavailable.