A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 419–2
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The ``Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience Act of 2025'' aims to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This amendment would authorize Federal agencies to provide certain essential assistance for hazard mitigation specifically for electric utilities. It allows these utilities to perform hazard mitigation activities alongside power restoration efforts. Additionally, receiving assistance for emergency power restoration will not disqualify a facility from receiving subsequent hazard mitigation assistance. These changes only apply to funds appropriated on or after the date the Act is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill enhances disaster relief by allowing utilities to combine hazard mitigation with power restoration efforts.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill allows electric utilities to perform hazard mitigation activities to enhance grid resilience against disasters.
- Scored +2
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
By improving electrical resilience, the bill supports the stability of essential infrastructure used by public transit systems.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 419 yes · 2 no
01/15/2025 · Roll call 13 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Enhanced Electrical Resilience: Electric utilities can carry out cost-effective hazard mitigation activities in combination with power restoration activities, which could help stabilize the grid. (Section 2(a)(1))
-
Access to Continued Funding: Receiving assistance for the emergency restoration of power will not make a facility ineligible for future hazard mitigation assistance under section 406. (Section 2(a)(2))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the provided text.
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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill enhances disaster relief by allowing utilities to combine hazard mitigation with power restoration efforts. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill allows electric utilities to perform hazard mitigation activities to enhance grid resilience against disasters. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — By improving electrical resilience, the bill supports the stability of essential infrastructure used by public transit systems.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The authorization for hazard mitigation helps secure power infrastructure which is critical for rural community stability. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Greater electrical resilience provides more stable power services for urban populations during and after disasters.
- 1/16/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1/15/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 2 (Roll no. 13). (text: 1/13/2025 CR H103)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 2 (Roll no. 13). (text: 1/13/2025 CR H103)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H168-169)
- 1/13/2025
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 164.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H103-104)
- Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 1/4/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike EzellRepublican · Mississippi