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The House voted 225-203 to pass the Reliable Power Act, a bill that allows federal energy regulators to review and potentially block other agencies' rules if they threaten the stability of the national electricity grid.
H.R. 3616, known as the Reliable Power Act, aims to safeguard the national power grid from potential electricity shortages. The bill requires an annual assessment of whether there is enough power generation to meet demand. If a risk is identified, federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Department of Energy must submit their proposed regulations to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for review. FERC is then given the authority to prevent those regulations from being finalized if it determines they would significantly harm grid reliability. This was a vote on 'Passage,' which is the final step for a bill to be approved by the House of Representatives. In the House, most bills require a simple majority—more 'yes' votes than 'no' votes—to pass. Because this measure received enough support, it has officially cleared the House and moves forward in the legislative process. The bill passed with a narrow margin and followed sharp party lines. Republicans supported the measure, arguing that it prevents federal regulations from causing blackouts. Most Democrats opposed it, expressing concern that it could be used to stall or block important environmental and climate protections. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
The bill has been received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill could change the balance of power within the federal government by giving energy regulators a potential veto over environmental and climate rules if they are found to impact grid stability.
Who’s affected. Federal Agencies: Agencies like the EPA would have to gain FERC approval for certain rules, potentially slowing or blocking new environmental standards. · Electricity Consumers: Voters may see impacts on their energy bills and the reliability of their power depending on which regulations are enacted. · Energy Industry: Power plant operators would see a regulatory landscape that prioritizes grid reliability over other federal policy goals.
Democrats. The vast majority of Democrats voted against the bill, though seven members broke with their party to vote in favor.
Republicans. Republicans were unified in support, with every member present voting 'yea' to pass the measure.
On Passage
Dec 17, 2025
The House voted 225-203 to pass the Reliable Power Act, a bill that allows federal energy regulators to review and potentially block other agencies' rules if they threaten the stability of the national electricity grid.
This was the final vote in the House of Representatives to approve the bill. A 'yea' vote supported passing the bill and sending it to the Senate, while a 'nay' vote sought to stop the bill from advancing.
The bill has been received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
This bill could change the balance of power within the federal government by giving energy regulators a potential veto over environmental and climate rules if they are found to impact grid stability.
The vote was a classic party-line split, with Republicans voting almost unanimously in favor and Democrats overwhelmingly opposed, despite a handful of Democratic defections.
The vast majority of Democrats voted against the bill, though seven members broke with their party to vote in favor.
Republicans were unified in support, with every member present voting 'yea' to pass the measure.
The single independent member joined Republicans in voting for the bill.