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Provides unlimited Treasury funding, as needed, to continue Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payments during any lapse in discretionary appropriations (a federal government shutdown). Also sets a short title for the Act. The appropriation is limited to making LIHEAP payments authorized by statute during funding lapses and does not create other new programs or authorities.
The bill protects low-income households and keeps state and local energy assistance functioning during government shutdowns, but does so by authorizing open-ended federal spending and potentially weakening budget transparency and trade-off pressure.
Low-income households continue receiving LIHEAP energy assistance during federal government shutdowns, preventing interruptions in help paying heating and cooling bills.
State and local agencies can keep issuing energy assistance benefits during funding lapses, avoiding administrative disruption and service interruptions at the local level.
Taxpayers may incur open-ended federal costs during shutdowns because the appropriation lacks a dollar cap, leading to unplanned spending.
Maintaining services during shutdowns could reduce pressure to make broader budget trade-offs and obscure the fiscal impact of continuing programs, weakening budget transparency and fiscal discipline.
Introduced October 14, 2025 by Raul Ruiz · Last progress October 14, 2025