A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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 Good Energy Jobs Act of 2026 amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to require that Department of Energy financial assistance promotes high labor standards and community benefits. The bill mandates that workers on covered projects receive prevailing wages and that specific percentages of labor hours are performed by registered apprentices. It requires entities receiving financial assistance to submit community benefits plans and remain neutral regarding labor organizing. Additionally, the legislation promotes domestic manufacturing and bans the offshoring of products developed with this financial assistance without prior approval. Finally, it sets a goal for at least 40 percent of financial assistance from specific programs to benefit small or disadvantaged communities.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +8
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill strongly favors organized labor through prevailing wage requirements, apprenticeship mandates, labor neutrality rules, and project labor agreements.
- Scored +7
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?
The bill mandates labor neutrality, project labor agreements, and protections for organizing under the National Labor Relations Act.
- Scored +6
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Mandated registered apprenticeship programs provide young workers with valuable job skills, training, and pathways to stable careers.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Strict compliance rules, offshoring bans, and potential funding recaptures place heavy regulatory burdens on business owners receiving federal assistance.
- Scored -3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Additional compliance reporting and strict labor standards could create administrative hurdles for small businesses seeking Department of Energy funds.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Fair Wages for Workers: Section 602(a) requires contractors and subcontractors to pay laborers and mechanics wages that are at least equal to prevailing rates in the local area, which helps ensure workers receive fair pay for construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair work assisted by the Department of Energy.
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Apprenticeship Opportunities: Section 602(b) requires that at least 15 percent of total labor hours on a covered project be performed by individuals in a registered apprenticeship program, helping workers gain valuable job skills and training.
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Support for Disadvantaged Communities: Section 608(a) directs the Secretary to ensure that at least 40 percent of financial assistance from covered programs goes to entities that commit to providing specific, measurable, and meaningful benefits to small or disadvantaged communities.
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Boosting Domestic Manufacturing: Section 607(b) requires entities receiving research, development, or demonstration assistance to enter into agreements ensuring that any resulting products are manufactured substantially in the United States, supporting domestic jobs and industry.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Compliance Burdens: Section 609(a) requires entities receiving financial assistance to submit regular compliance reports to the Secretary, which may create extra administrative paperwork and operational burdens for businesses and organizations seeking federal funds.
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Strict Offshoring Restrictions: Section 607(e) prohibits entities from relocating, transferring, or outsourcing the manufacturing of products developed with financial assistance to a foreign country during the term of the assistance and for five years afterward without explicit prior approval from the Secretary, which could limit business flexibility in global markets.
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Potential Funding Loss for Noncompliance: Sections 602(c), 603(c), 605(f), and 607(d) allow the Secretary to withhold, recapture, or terminate financial assistance if an entity fails to comply with labor, neutrality, community benefits, or domestic manufacturing requirements, which could financially harm organizations that make mistakes or fail to meet strict federal rules.
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 bill strongly favors organized labor through prevailing wage requirements, apprenticeship mandates, labor neutrality rules, and project labor agreements. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Mandated registered apprenticeship programs provide young workers with valuable job skills, training, and pathways to stable careers. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill directs at least 40 percent of covered program financial assistance to benefit small or disadvantaged communities and low-income populations. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Project labor agreements and community benefits plans intentionally incorporate people of color and underrepresented workers into federally funded projects. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Targeted hiring goals and community benefits plans help ensure Hispanic Americans in disadvantaged areas share in economic opportunities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The legislation explicitly includes Tribal governments in community benefit consultations and planning. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Small and disadvantaged communities, which frequently encompass rural regions, stand to benefit significantly from the 40 percent funding allocation initiative. Would students be better off under this? — Expanded registered apprenticeship programs offer strong alternative educational and career-training paths for students entering the workforce. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The legislation includes veterans among the underrepresented groups targeted for local and specialized hiring goals. Would women be better off under this? — Project labor agreements and community plans actively seek to increase the participation of women in underrepresented sectors. Would business owners be better off under this? — Strict compliance rules, offshoring bans, and potential funding recaptures place heavy regulatory burdens on business owners receiving federal assistance.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill mandates labor neutrality, project labor agreements, and protections for organizing under the National Labor Relations Act. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes domestic manufacturing and federally assisted projects that create high-quality jobs with prevailing wages. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By boosting domestic manufacturing and requiring community benefits plans, the bill supports localized economic development. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Additional compliance reporting and strict labor standards could create administrative hurdles for small businesses seeking Department of Energy funds.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation mandates public reporting, data collection, and dashboards to track wage compliance, apprenticeship utilization, and community benefit commitments. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight by the Department of Energy to enforce labor standards, community benefits, and domestic manufacturing requirements.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The legislation directs at least 40 percent of financial assistance to benefit small or disadvantaged communities, helping reduce economic disparities. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill mandates targeted hiring and community benefits plans that prioritize small or disadvantaged communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Small and disadvantaged communities, which often include rural areas, receive prioritized financial assistance and meaningful benefits.
- 9/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate