Sponsor
Chris Pappas
Representative · D-NH
Representative · D-NH
The bill directs multi-year federal funding to expand weatherization and reduce energy burdens for low-income and military households, improving comfort and predictability for implementers, while increasing federal spending and imposing earmarks and caps that reduce flexibility and some funds available for other needy households.
Low-income households and owners of eligible homes receive a dedicated increase in weatherization funding: $350 million authorized per year for FY2026–FY2030 to upgrade home energy efficiency.
Low-income and vulnerable households should see lower energy bills and improved home comfort/safety from expanded weatherization investments.
Active duty and reserve military households are guaranteed targeted weatherization support through a $2.1 million per year earmark.
All taxpayers bear higher federal spending: the bill authorizes $350 million/year plus $2.1 million/year over five years, increasing the federal cost of programs.
A statutory cap (no more than 6% of section 422(3)(A) funds for section 414D) limits how grantees can allocate funds, reducing programmatic flexibility for state and local implementers.
Earmarking $2.1 million/year for military households may divert resources away from other high-need low-income households under the same program.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes $350M/year for WAP FY2026–FY2030, caps one funding source reallocation at 6%, and earmarks $2.1M/year for active duty/reserve military households.
Official title: To expand the Weatherization Assistance Program for activities related to active duty and reserve military households, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 13, 2026 by Chris Pappas · Last progress January 13, 2026
Provides new, dedicated funding and a small military household earmark for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) for fiscal years 2026–2030. Specifically authorizes $350 million per year for WAP and requires $2,100,000 per year to be used for active duty and reserve military households, while capping use of a separate funding line at no more than 6% for this purpose.