HR 5687119th CongressIn Committee

Keep the Heat On Act of 2025

Introduced: Oct 3, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1] (D-New Hampshire)

Social Services

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Keep the Heat On Act of 2025 would provide a targeted, temporary funding mechanism to keep LIHEAP (the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) payments flowing during a federal government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. If discretionary appropriations lapse, the bill would authorize the Treasury to provide funds—taken from money not otherwise appropriated—to make LIHEAP payments at a rate equal to the payments for the corresponding month in FY2025. The measure is introduced in the House by Rep. Pappas and would apply only during a lapse in discretionary funding in FY2026, using the LIHEAP authority found in 42 U.S.C. 8621(b). In short, it aims to prevent interruptions to heating assistance for low-income households during a government closure, without creating a broad, year-round funding increase.

Key Points

1Short title: The act may be cited as the “Keep the Heat On Act of 2025.”
2Purpose: To ensure LIHEAP payments continue during any lapse in discretionary appropriations (i.e., a federal government shutdown) in fiscal year 2026.
3Funding mechanism: When a lapse occurs, the Treasury would provide funds not otherwise appropriated to make LIHEAP payments under section 2602(b) of the LIHEAA, at the same monthly rate as FY2025.
4Funding source: “Out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated” (a standard emergency/contingent funding mechanism).
5Scope and trigger: Limited to fiscal year 2026 and only during periods of discretionary appropriations lapse; not a general or ongoing annual appropriation.
6Administration: Introduced in the House (by Rep. Pappas) and referred to the Appropriations Committee; relies on existing LIHEAP authorities (42 U.S.C. 8621(b)).

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Low-income households eligible for LIHEAP, particularly those facing heating costs, who would receive uninterrupted LIHEAP payments during a shutdown in FY2026.- State and local LIHEAP administrators who operate the program and deliver benefits to households.Secondary group/area affected- States, tribes, and agencies that administer LIHEAP payments; potential administrative continuity and planning benefits during a shutdown.- Utilities/providers and energy vendors that participate in LIHEAP-funded assistance, helping households meet heating costs.Additional impacts- Fiscal/budgetary: Creates a contingent, one-year funding mechanism tied to the occurrence of a government shutdown in FY2026; the total cost would depend on the number of eligible households and the existing FY2025 payment rates.- Policy signal: Demonstrates a legislative priority to protect essential, means-tested energy assistance during funding pauses, reducing hardship during shutdowns.- Limitations: The measure covers only FY2026 and only during lapse periods; it does not provide a permanent or multi-year funding guarantee beyond that fiscal year and does not modify ongoing LIHEAP authorization or baseline funding outside shutdown periods.

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