Today, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) introduced the Utility Price Lift In Flux & Transition (UPLIFT) Act, a bill aimed at easing the burden of household energy costs during inflation spikes through the creation of a new federal tax credit. The tax credit would offer relief and stability to Americans by addressing the rising, unpredictable costs of their utilities.

“Making paying the bills a little easier is exactly why I am introducing the UPLIFT Act. Every month, millions of American families face the burden of rising energy bills. Under this administration, that burden is growing. In the face of inflation and spikes in utility costs, Americans are struggling to keep the lights on and their homes livable,” said Rep. McIver. “Heat and cool air are necessities, not luxuries, and too many households—especially working-class and elderly Americans—are being forced to make painful decisions because those bills are just too high. I am proud that this bill takes responsive steps to give our communities breathing room when inflation hits hardest. Lowering costs is exactly the kind of work I came to Washington to do.”

“As the Trump administration’s policies send heating and electricity prices soaring twice as fast as inflation for millions of households across the country, Congress needs to ensure those spending more of their income on their energy bill get needed financial relief,” said Meghan Pazik, senior policy advocate with Public Citizen’s Climate Program. “Policymakers need to provide economic solutions for low-income and vulnerable communities from these electricity price surges. Congresswoman McIver’s UPLIFT Act is a step in the right direction to address the growing affordability crisis and give those hit hardest a chance with targeted, timely, and direct support.”

“United for a Fair Economy supports the UPLIFT Act. At a time like this, when the very wealthy are controlling more wealth and power while others struggle, the UPLIFT Act is a common-sense solution to help families in need make ends meet,” said Mike Lapham, Deputy Director of United for a Fair Economy. “Congress should pass this legislation as soon as possible.”

“NCRC is proud to endorse the UPLIFT Act because too many low- and moderate-income families are one energy-cost spike away from crisis, and this bill provides timely support that protects economic mobility when it’s most at risk,” said Doug Mollett, Economic Mobility Manager at National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC). “By linking relief to real economic conditions and safeguarding safety-net benefits, it strengthens household stability and ensures rising utility bills don’t push vulnerable Americans further from opportunity.”

“The UPLIFT Act offers practical help for Americans coping with unaffordable energy costs,” said Consumer Action’s Director of Consumer Protection Ruth Susswein. “It puts cash back in consumers' hands, with a tax credit designed to help alleviate rapidly rising gas and electric bills.”

“At a time when more Americans than ever struggle to afford their monthly electric bill, the UPLIFT Act is an example of the sort of creative policy thinking we need to help people afford their needs,” says Logan Atkinson Burke, Executive Director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy. “We applaud Congresswoman McIver in taking action on this critical issue and introducing legislation that lessens energy burdens by providing direct financial support to working-class families. We need Congress to follow her lead.”

“The UPLIFT Act of 2025 would put money back in the pockets of working families coping with the rising costs of energy, food, medicine and housing,” said Olivia Wein, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. “The Act provides an income-limited, refundable tax credit that helps low- and moderate-income families with stretched monthly budgets cope with unaffordable energy bills during periods of high inflation.”

“The escalating cost of utilities has taken a significant toll on poor and working-class families of color, including families that rent their homes with Housing Choice Vouchers,” said Thomas Silverstein, Executive Director of the Poverty & Race Research Action Council. “The UPLIFT Act of 2025 is a common sense measure that would advance racial and economic justice by reducing the impact of utility costs on people who are struggling right now.”

Specifically, the Utility Price Lift In Flux & Transition (UPLIFT) Act would:

• Create a refundable income tax credit worth up to $1,200 per year (or $2,400 for married couples filing jointly or heads of household) to cover residential energy costs, including electricity, natural gas, and propane.
• Automatically activate during high-inflation years, ensuring relief is triggered when the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rises more than 2%.
• Direct relief to families’ primary residences, ensuring benefits cannot be claimed for second homes or investment properties.
• Safeguard access to existing energy assistance programs by guaranteeing that households receiving federal, state, local, or Tribal energy aid remain fully eligible for this credit.

• Protect low-income families on means-tested programs by ensuring refunds from this credit are never counted as income or resources that could reduce other benefits.

The bill is endorsed by: United for a Fair Economy (UFE), Responsible Wealth, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Consumer Action, Alliance for Affordable Energy (AAE), Public Citizen, the Poverty & Race Research Action Council, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and the National Consumer Law Center.