A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill, known as the Good Energy Jobs Act of 2026, amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to place new rules on financial assistance provided by the Department of Energy. It requires projects receiving this financial assistance to meet specific labor standards, including paying prevailing wages and utilizing registered apprenticeships. Entities receiving funds must also remain neutral regarding labor organizations and employee organizing efforts. Additionally, the legislation mandates community benefits plans, promotes domestic manufacturing, and seeks to direct a portion of funding to small and disadvantaged communities. Finally, the bill sets up strict reporting requirements and outlines penalties for noncompliance.
Yes· 3 of 20
- Scored +8
Would union members be better off under this?
The legislation significantly enhances protections, prevailing wage requirements, labor neutrality, and project labor agreements for union workers.
- Scored +7
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?
The legislation strengthens worker rights by mandating labor neutrality, prevailing wages, and project labor agreements.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill directs at least 40 percent of covered financial assistance to small and disadvantaged communities with high concentrations of low-income households.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 664(a) requires that all laborers and mechanics on construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair projects assisted by the Department of Energy are paid at least prevailing wages. This ensures workers receive fair, locally appropriate pay for their labor.
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Section 664(b) mandates that at least 15 percent of total labor hours on covered projects are performed by individuals in a registered apprenticeship program, alongside proper apprentice-to-journey worker ratios. This creates pathways for workers to learn trades and build stable careers.
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Section 666(a) requires project labor agreements for facility construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair costing more than $1,000,000. These agreements can establish clear employment conditions and seek to include goals for local hiring and the participation of women, people of color, veterans, and other underrepresented workers under Section 666(b).
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Section 667(a) requires entities applying for project financial assistance to include a community benefits plan informed by a community needs assessment. This provision helps ensure that local communities have a voice, address pollution, and secure measurable benefits such as job quality and infrastructure access.
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Section 669(b) and (e) require entities receiving research, development, or demonstration funds to commit to manufacturing products substantially in the United States and prohibit offshoring the manufacturing of products developed with this assistance to a foreign country without prior approval. This protects domestic manufacturing jobs.
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Section 670(a) directs the Secretary to ensure that at least 40 percent of financial assistance through specific programs goes to entities providing specific, measurable, and meaningful benefits to small or disadvantaged communities. This targets investments toward historically disinvested or polluted areas.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 664(c), Section 665(c), Section 666(d), Section 667(f), and Section 669(d) empower the Secretary to withhold, recapture, or terminate financial assistance if an entity fails to comply with labor standards, neutrality requirements, project labor agreements, community benefit plans, or domestic manufacturing plans. While intended to enforce rules, these penalties could disrupt projects and potentially halt funding for ongoing initiatives if compliance issues arise.
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Section 669(e) restricts entities from relocating, transferring, or outsourcing product manufacturing to a foreign country during the assistance term or for five years after without prior approval from the Secretary. This restriction limits business flexibility regarding global supply chains and manufacturing locations.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The legislation significantly enhances protections, prevailing wage requirements, labor neutrality, and project labor agreements for union workers. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill directs at least 40 percent of covered financial assistance to small and disadvantaged communities with high concentrations of low-income households. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Targeting disadvantaged communities and including hiring goals for people of color helps address historical racial disparities in employment. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Targeting disadvantaged communities and including hiring goals for people of color helps address historical disparities. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Requiring prevailing wages and high-quality jobs supports better compensation and financial security for middle-class workers. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Tribal governments and Native communities are explicitly included in community benefits plans and disadvantaged community provisions. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Small, disadvantaged, and geographically diverse rural communities benefit from dedicated funding and infrastructure initiatives. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Mandating registered apprenticeship programs creates strong entry-level career and training pathways for younger workers. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Project labor agreements under the bill establish targeted hire goals for veterans and other underrepresented groups. Would women be better off under this? — Project labor agreements and community benefits plans include explicit hiring goals for women and underrepresented workers.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The legislation strengthens worker rights by mandating labor neutrality, prevailing wages, and project labor agreements. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes domestic manufacturing and investments in energy projects, helping create and retain quality domestic jobs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Requiring domestic manufacturing plans and boosting local infrastructure investments supports sustainable economic growth. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The act directs financial assistance toward small and disadvantaged communities and supports local economic development.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Directing funds toward disadvantaged communities and prioritizing high-quality jobs helps lift individuals and communities out of poverty. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The legislation directs significant financial assistance and measurable benefits to disadvantaged communities suffering from historical disinvestment. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — Project labor agreements under the bill include explicit participation goals for women and other underrepresented workers.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Small and disadvantaged communities, including rural areas, receive targeted investments and infrastructure support under the initiative. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill ties financial assistance for clean energy and climate programs to robust community benefits and labor standards.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires public reporting, online dashboards, and data collection on wage compliance and community benefits.
- 9/15/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois