Amid Longest Federal Government Shutdown in History, Senator Markey Introduces Legislation to Ensure Families Can Keep the Heat and Lights On

Bill Text (PDF)
Washington (November 12, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, today introduced theStop Shut-Offs During Shutdowns Act, legislation that calls on electric and gas utilities across the country to immediately suspend shut-offs of service for nonpayment during federal government shutdowns.
The MAGA Republican federal shutdown froze the release of funding for many essential services that American families rely on, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps millions of struggling households pay their heating and cooling bills. Many state utility regulators and utilities have already put a moratorium on service disconnections under certain conditions, including winter weather. This legislation would push states and utilities to add federal funding disruptions as a reason to prevent shut-offs of gas or electric service.
As temperatures plummet across the country and electricity costs continue to skyrocket — bymore than 11 percentsince the start of the year — theStop Shut-Offs During Shutdowns Actmakes clear that power shut-offs should not be weaponized in any federal shutdown.
Since states have the primary authority to govern electric and gas rates, this bill would amend thePublic Utility Regulatory Policies Actto require that state utility regulators consider adopting a moratorium on electric service shut-offs during federal government shutdowns.
TheStop Shut-Offs During Shutdowns Actsets a sense of Congress that:
TheStop Shut-Offs During Shutdowns Actis cosponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
This bill is endorsed by WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Public Citizen, National Energy Assistance Directors Association, National Consumer Law Center, and the Center on Energy, Poverty and Climate.
Senator Markey is a champion for energy access, affordability, and reliability.
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