Lower Prices at the Pump Act
Sponsored By: Representative McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
Introduced
Summary
Prohibits unconscionably excessive gasoline and distillate prices during a defined Iran-related crisis. The bill would set tests for gouging using local and historical price comparisons, and it would authorize federal and state enforcement while directing penalties to consumer energy aid programs.
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- Families and drivers: Would limit steep pump and wholesale price spikes during the crisis by banning prices that grossly exceed a seller's 30-day average before February 28, 2026 or nearby competitor prices.
- Low-income households: Would route any penalties into a Consumer Relief Trust Fund to pay for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program.
- Fuel sellers and retailers: Would expose companies to civil and criminal enforcement, with criminal fines up to $500 million and DOJ enforcement prioritized for firms with more than $10 billion in annual U.S. fuel sales.
- Regulators and states: Would preserve the Federal Trade Commission's authority and allow state attorneys general to bring parens patriae actions, enabling concurrent federal and state enforcement.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Limits on gas price gouging
If enacted, this bill would bar selling gasoline or other petroleum distillates at unconscionably excessive prices at wholesale or retail during a defined crisis period. The period would start on the date of enactment and end when the President, after consulting House and Senate leaders, certifies that military operations against Iran (which began March 2026) have ceased indefinitely and the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and shipping has resumed. Officials would decide violations using factors such as whether a price grossly exceeds the seller’s 30-day average before February 28, 2026, or grossly exceeds nearby competitors’ prices in that period. They would also consider whether prices reflect extra costs or risks, are driven by market conditions, or follow a rise in quantity sold. The Federal Trade Commission could bring civil cases; the Justice Department could bring criminal cases with fines up to $500,000,000, with criminal enforcement prioritized for firms with over $10,000,000,000 in U.S. fuel sales per year; State attorneys general could sue too under notice and intervention rules. The bill defines covered sales and the “Commission” so enforcement scope is clear, including that retail covers sales to end users and wholesale covers terminal or refinery transfers and certain delivered sales.
Consumer relief fund for energy help
If enacted, amounts collected as penalties under this Act would be deposited into a new Consumer Relief Trust Fund in the Treasury. Amounts in that fund would be used to provide help under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program. The bill does not set a fixed appropriation; available funds would depend on penalties collected under the law.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Cosponsors
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov