Pappas Introduces New Legislation to Lower Energy Costs

September 25, 2026 Press Release As President Trump’s war with Iran enters its seventh month, Pappas is introducing new legislation to tackle the growing fuel cost crisis Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) , a founding member of the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus , announced he is introducing three new pieces of legislation to lower energy costs. The bills would increase federal support for heating assistance, expand eligibility to more families, and lower gas and diesel costs. “President Trump’s reckless war with Iran is making it more expensive for Granite Staters to get to work and heat their homes. James, a Navy veteran from New Hampshire, had to come out of retirement because he couldn’t make ends meet. People like James, and countless others who have seen their energy bills more than double, need relief now,” said Congressman Pappas. “New Hampshire families have spent an extra thousand dollars at the pump and filling their fuel tanks because of this war. My legislation would give people the breathing room they need.” The LIHEAP Act would expand the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), one of the most successful programs aimed at reducing energy costs for working families. The American Homes First Act would increase funding for LIHEAP by redirecting $1 billion from President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ slush fund. The Consumer Fuel Prices Relief Act would provide federal fuel tax relief until the end of September 2027 by pausing the gas tax, the diesel tax, and the aviation fuel tax, while ensuring the benefit is immediately passed on to consumers in full. The legislation builds on his bicameral Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 , introduced in March, which would have suspended the federal gas tax through October 1, 2026. The legislation safeguards and maintains funding for roads, bridges, and gas spill remediation, and holds corporations accountable if they fail to pass along savings to individual consumers. Pappas is a fierce advocate for efforts that lower energy costs for Granite Staters and programs that help low-income families pay their bills. He has repeatedly called on both Democratic and Republican administrations to protect and strengthen the LIHEAP program. He has also previously introduced, cosponsored, or called for the passage of the following legislation: Pappas leads the bipartisan Energy Burden Tax Credit Act , which would provide a refundable tax credit to families struggling with high energy costs, saving households hundreds of dollars a year on energy. Pappas leads the bipartisan Investing in State Energy Act, which would ensure funds from the Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program are distributed without delay to state agencies and local partners that implement these cost-saving energy initiatives. Pappas leads the bipartisan Transmission Facilitation Program Reauthorization Act , which would reauthorize funding for DOE’s program providing states and municipalities with federal support for projects developing new transmission lines or upgrading existing transmission lines , helping accelerate project timelines and increase grid capacity. Pappas leads the Heroes Home Energy Savings Act , which would reauthorize and increase funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement and Innovation Grant to spur innovation in weatherization and provide active-duty and reserve military families with grants to help lower their energy costs. Pappas leads the bipartisan Bolstering Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve Act , which would require the Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct a long-range strategic review of the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve (NEHHOR) and report to Congress on opportunities to strengthen it. He supports the bipartisan Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act , which would prohibit the sale or export of our nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) to foreign adversaries including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, closing a dangerous loophole that threatens U.S. energy and national security He supports the Energy Independence and Affordability Act , which would reinstate clean energy tax credits established by the Inflation Reduction Act and repealed by Republicans last year. These credits would help individuals, families, small businesses, and manufacturers save money on clean energy, including purchasing clean vehicles or making upgrades such as installing rooftop solar. He supports the bipartisan Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025 , which would reauthorize and improve the Weatherization Assistance Program and guarantee the program can continue to provide weatherization services to tens of thousands of homes every year, saving households hundreds on their energy costs. He supports the bipartisan LIHEAP Staffing Support Act , which would set a minimum staffing level within HHS to administer LIHEAP .