As Utility Bills Skyrocket Across The US, Riley and Caucus Members Set to Tackle Challenge Head On
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) yesterday launched the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus, a group of lawmakers dedicated to finding legislative solutions to the ongoing energy affordability crisis. The caucus will convene House Members around oversight strategies and tools to hold utility providers accountable for rate hikes.
“When I talk with folks across Upstate New York, the first question I ask is: what’s keeping you up at night and how can I help? And the most common answer is that utility bills are out of control and need to be reined in,” said Rep. Riley. “Too many working families are being put to an impossible choice of either keeping the lights on or paying for the mortgage or groceries. Meanwhile, the utility monopolies are making record profits while jacking up rates. It’s unacceptable. I’m launching the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus to provide a forum for members of Congress to work together on legislation to take on the utility monopolies and lower their customers’ bills.”
During the event, Riley touted his legislation to prohibit foreign corporations from owning American utility providers and ban executive bonuses at utility companies raising rates. Riley also discussed his experience directly intervening in state rate cases to protect consumers from unjustified increases. Mark Ellis of the American Economic Liberties Project also discussed policy, legal, and regulatory tools available to Members of Congress to help reduce utility bills in their districts.
Watch the full press conference HERE.
The other lawmakers on the caucus include Reps. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), John Mannion (NY-22), Mike Levin (CA-49), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Ami Bera (CA-06), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Seth Magaziner (RI-02).
“For years, I’ve fought alongside my community – first as Ulster County Executive, then as a Congressman, and always as a fellow ratepayer – against Central Hudson’s exploitative practices. We have to ask ourselves, what kind of system would let Central Hudson jack up its rates by 9.5%, give their own executives tens of millions in bonuses, and pretend it’s a win for Hudson Valley families? The answer is a fundamentally broken one, which puts the profits of foreign-owned corporate monopolies above the good of our community,” said Rep. Pat Ryan. “As we’re all feeling the squeeze of the affordability crisis, I’m proud to be joining a group of fighters who represent hardworking Americans in every corner of the country. Alongside my Hudson Valley neighbor Josh Riley, we’re coming together to form a complete picture of how these monopolistic companies are ripping off our communities. Together, we’re working to write comprehensive legislation to hold these companies accountable, bring down costs for consumers, and fix the predatory system once and for all.”
“People are working hard and playing by the rules, but are still struggling to make ends meet,” said Rep. Chris Deluzio. “In Washington, Republicans have full control of the House, the Senate, and the White House, but they have failed to bring down costs—especially utility bills, which are rising faster than inflation. Pennsylvania is an energy- producing state, and still here my constituents are dealing with rising costs just to keep the lights and heat on this winter. We need to get utility costs under control. I’m proud to be a part of this new Lowering Utility Bills Caucus that is going to take on the profiteering monopolies screwing us over, work to get more power onto the grid, and fight to make life in America less of a ripoff.”
“Families, working people, and seniors are being slammed by high utility prices, and they need relief and action. I’ve heard directly from Granite Staters who are worried about affording heat in the winter, spending as much on energy as they do on their mortgage, and juggling the cost of food and utilities,” said Rep. Chris Pappas. “Congress needs to step up, take on corporations raking in record profits, and deliver solutions that lower people’s bills and put more money back in their pockets.”
“Families and small businesses across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley are frustrated by rising utility bills as the cost of groceries, health care, and everyday essentials continue to climb,” said Rep. John Mannion. “That’s why I’m helping launch the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus—to advance real solutions and hold power companies accountable. We must reverse harmful Trump Administration policies that have cancelled energy projects and taken choices away from consumers, support affordable power generation, and ensure the grid infrastructure needed to bring costs down.”
“Utility bills are skyrocketing, and it’s crippling New Mexican families’ budgets. I look forward to working with the Lowering Utility Bills Caucus to implement commonsense solutions that will make life more affordable for hardworking folks,” said Rep. Gabe Vasquez.
“By nearly every measure, the cost of living has risen for American households. Many families are struggling just to put food on the table, let alone afford utility bills that continue to climb higher month after month,” said Rep. Laura Gillen. “On Long Island, where energy costs are already among the highest in the nation, these increases place an especially heavy burden on working families. That’s why I’m proud to join the Lowering Utility Bills Caucus to work towards advancing common-sense solutions that reduce energy costs, increase affordability and help Long Island families keep the lights on.”
“Families in Sacramento County are paying too much just to keep the lights on,” said Rep. Ami Bera. “Utility bills are taking up a bigger share of household budgets, and too many seniors on fixed incomes and working parents are being forced to cut back on essentials to make ends meet. The Lowering Utility Bills Caucus will keep a spotlight on rising energy costs and organize lawmakers around practical, common-sense solutions to bring costs down. I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver relief for American families.”
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