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The House passed the POWER Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill that allows electric companies to use federal disaster aid to build more resilient infrastructure while repairing damage from storms.
The POWER Act of 2025 (H.R. 164) updates federal disaster law to help get the lights back on faster and keep them on during future storms. Currently, federal aid is often restricted to simply fixing what broke. This bill allows utilities to use that same money to make the system stronger—such as by burying power lines or using stronger poles—during the repair process, provided it is cost-effective. This vote was conducted under a procedure called 'suspension of the rules.' This is a fast-track method used for bills that have broad, non-controversial support. Because it skips several steps to speed up the process, it requires a higher two-thirds supermajority to pass rather than a simple majority. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, with 419 members in favor and only two opposed. This result means the bill successfully passed the House of Representatives and has been sent to the Senate for further consideration.
The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for further review.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. It allows for more durable repairs to the electrical grid after natural disasters, which can reduce the frequency and length of future power outages.
Who’s affected. Electric utilities: Gain the flexibility to use federal emergency funds for both immediate restoration and long-term grid strengthening. · Residents in disaster-prone areas: May benefit from a more reliable power grid that is less likely to fail during extreme weather events.
Democrats. Every Democratic member who was present voted in favor of the bill.
Republicans. The vast majority of Republicans supported the bill, with only two members voting against it.
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Jan 15, 2025
The House passed the POWER Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill that allows electric companies to use federal disaster aid to build more resilient infrastructure while repairing damage from storms.
A 'suspension of the rules' is a fast-track way to pass bills that most members already agree on. To prevent one party from rushing things through, this method requires a two-thirds supermajority to pass.
The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for further review.
It allows for more durable repairs to the electrical grid after natural disasters, which can reduce the frequency and length of future power outages.
The vote was almost entirely unanimous across both parties, reflecting a broad consensus on improving disaster recovery infrastructure.
Every Democratic member who was present voted in favor of the bill.
The vast majority of Republicans supported the bill, with only two members voting against it.
The single independent member of the House voted in favor of the bill.