WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 164 · 119th Congress

POWER Act of 2025

Passed HouseEmergency Management
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Passed HouseJan 15, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Jan 16, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The House passed it 419–2. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 1 section of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 164 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Jan 16, 2025).

42 U.S.C. 5170b Essential assistance

What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 42 U.S.C. 5170badded (e)by H.R. 164 Sec. 2(a)

    (e) Electric utilities.—(1) Hazard mitigation activities.— An electric utility may carry out cost-effective hazard mitigation activities jointly or otherwise in combination with activities for the restoration of power carried out with assistance provided under this section.(2) Eligibility for additional assistance.— In any case in which an electric utility facility receives assistance under this section for the emergency restoration of power, the receipt of such assistance shall not render such facility ineligible for any hazard mitigation assistance under section 406 for which such facility is otherwise eligible.

    The bill says: Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 5170b)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience Act of 2025 or the POWER Act of 2025

This bill authorizes electric utilities receiving certain emergency assistance for the restoration of power to also carry out cost-effective hazard mitigation activities in combination with the power restoration activities.

Additionally, the bill specifies that electric utilities receiving such assistance for a facility may, if otherwise eligible, also receive hazard mitigation assistance for the same facility under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance program.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jan 3, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Jan 16, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.Senate
  2. Jan 15, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Jan 15, 2025On 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) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. Jan 15, 2025Passed/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) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. Jan 15, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H168-169)House floor actions
  6. Jan 13, 2025At 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.House floor actions
  7. Jan 13, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 164.House floor actions
  8. Jan 13, 2025Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H103-104)House floor actions
  9. Jan 13, 2025Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
  10. Jan 4, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.House committee actions
  11. Jan 3, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.House floor actions
  12. Jan 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  13. Jan 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Jan 15, 2025 · HousePassed 419–2
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · needed two-thirds
    R 209 yes, 2 noD 210 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Mike Ezell R-MS-4