Congressman Cleaver Joins Reps. Kuster, Welch to Introduce Bill to Provide $10 Billion in Utility Debt Relief

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, United States Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Energy Debt Relief for American Families Act to provide $10 billion in utility debt relief for Americans struggling to stay afloat financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) was an original cosponsor of the legislation, which would provide urgently-needed relief to states through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to pay down utility bills in arrears for individuals experiencing economic distress due to the public health crisis.

"As millions of Americans struggle to keep up with mounting utility bills, I'm proud to introduce this important legislation with Congresswoman Kuster and Congressman Welch to ease the financial burdens that have been placed on our most vulnerable households due to the devilish coronavirus," said Congressman Cleaver. "Over 100,000 Missourians rely on LIHEAP to keep the heat on during the dead of winter and the A/C on during the scorching summers. With the Energy Debt Relief for American Families Act, we have an opportunity to strengthen this pivotal program and ensure families can safely remain in their homes throughout the duration of this deadly pandemic without amassing burdensome debt."

"Even before COVID-19 hit, many families in the Granite State and across the country struggled to pay their utility bills," said Rep. Kuster. "The coronavirus pandemic has put additional financial stress on many households, creating a more widespread challenge during the cold winter months. We cannot let our most vulnerable citizens go without the essential utilities they need during this public health crisis. That's why I introduced the Energy Debt Relief for American Families Act, to help families stay connected to the services they need while preventing other ratepayers from ultimately paying off their debt. This legislation will provide crucial relief to those who need it. I urge my colleagues to support this beneficial bill."

"In the middle of a long, dark winter, the coronavirus pandemic continues to squeeze family budgets across the country, forcing some to choose between paying their bills or putting food on the table," said Rep. Welch. "This bill will provide immediate relief to help vulnerable Americans pay off their utility bills, making sure that they stay warm and connected to the services that they need."

Millions of Americans cannot afford their energy bills because of COVID-19 and the impact it has had on the national economy. The National Energy Assistance Directors' Association (NEADA) estimates that 15 to 20 percent of residential customers are at least 60 days behind on their electric and natural gas bills. As the pandemic prolongs, families will lose access to electricity and heating — leaving them without the essential utilities they need during this public health crisis.

The Energy Debt Relief for American Families Act would help address the utility debt crisis by providing $10 billion to states through LIHEAP, which serves over 100,000 Missourians, to pay off residential utility bills for households that certify they cannot pay their bills because of economic distress caused by the pandemic. This legislation would stop utility companies from being forced to either push the cost of "bad debt" to the rest of their customer base in the form of higher rates or cutbacks on assistance to struggling customers.

Additionally, Congressman Cleaver joined over 55 lawmakers in the House of Representatives urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to include at least $10 billion in funding for LIHEAP as they work on the latest COVID-19 relief package. You can find the official letter to Pelosi and McCarthy here.

You can find the official text of the Energy Debt Relief for American Families Acthere.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or matthew.helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.