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119-hr-8698119th CongressWALLET

Lower Prices at the Pump Act

Sponsored By: Representative McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]

Introduced

Summary

Curb unconscionably excessive gasoline and distillate prices tied to the Iran conflict. The bill would temporarily ban sales at prices that take an unfair advantage while military operations continue and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted.

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  • Families and low income households would see penalty proceeds routed into a new Consumer Relief Trust Fund to support energy assistance and the Weatherization Assistance Program.
  • Drivers and other end users would gain protection from prices that grossly exceed a seller's 30-day baseline ending February 28, 2026 or local competitor prices.
  • Fuel sellers would face enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and state parens patriae lawsuits, civil remedies under unfair or deceptive acts law, and criminal fines up to $500 million with enforcement priority for firms with more than $10 billion in U.S. fuel sales per year.

*Penalties collected are earmarked for consumer energy aid rather than general Treasury revenue.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Ban on extreme gas prices

If enacted, the bill would ban selling gasoline or other petroleum distillates at "unconscionably excessive" prices during a special covered period. The covered period would start on the date of enactment and end when the President certifies two things: military operations against Iran that began in March 2026 have ceased indefinitely, and the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and shipping has resumed. Whether a price is excessive would be judged by comparing it to the seller's average price in the 30 days before February 28, 2026, or to competitor prices then, and by looking at added costs, market conditions, and changes in quantity sold. "Retail" and "wholesale" sales are defined so the rule covers drivers, businesses, terminals, and dealer deliveries. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the rule and states could sue for relief after notifying the FTC. The bill says it would not limit other FTC powers and would not be intended to override state law.

Criminal fines for excessive pricing

If enacted, criminal fines of up to $500 million could be imposed for violating the bill's price ban. Criminal charges could be brought only by the Attorney General or another Department of Justice officer. The Attorney General would be instructed to prioritize cases against companies with over $10 billion in annual U.S. wholesale or retail sales of gasoline and distillates. These criminal penalties would apply only during the bill's covered period.

Penalty funds for energy assistance

If enacted, penalties collected under the bill would go into a new Consumer Relief Trust Fund in the Treasury. Money in the fund would be used to provide help under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) run by HHS and the Weatherization Assistance Program run by DOE. Low-income renters and homeowners who qualify for those programs would be eligible for the help, though actual amounts would depend on penalties collected.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]

MI • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 8/13/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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