Bill · H.R. 8135· House(119-HR-8135)
Cost-of-living Emergency Act
- Introduced
- 3/27/2026
- Last activity
- 3/27/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, the Budget, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Christopher Deluzio
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Cost-of-living Emergency Act declares an emergency regarding high living costs in the United States. It establishes a White House Cost Cutting Council and several Special Advisors to address specific costs like food, housing, and healthcare. The bill also creates a Joint Task Force on Consumer Costs to prevent price gouging and anticompetitive practices. Additionally, the President is directed to use authorities under the Defense Production Act to increase the supply of basic household necessities. Finally, a congressional Cost-of-Living Commission is established to identify and recommend policies to improve the economic situation for average households.
Yes· 3 of 37
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+8
The bill specifically targets affordability for low- and middle-income families.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+8
Establishes a Joint Task Force to prosecute price gouging and anticompetitive practices.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+7
Focuses on reducing costs of necessities and protecting against price gouging.
The opposite
Would billionaires be better off under this?-2
Increased scrutiny on large corporations' benefits compared to average households.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Targeted Economic Advice: The Council of Economic Advisers will prioritize analysis on the affordability of basic necessities and economic pressures on low- and middle-income families (Section 4(1)).
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Increased Oversight of Essential Costs: The appointment of Special Advisors for specific areas—such as grocery, housing, utility, health care, transportation, and wages—aims to address the costs of goods and services and strengthen household wages (Section 4(3)).
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Public Engagement Opportunities: Special Advisors are required to host regional listening sessions at least three times a year to allow the public to share concerns regarding costs (Section 4(3)(B)(iii)).
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Protection Against Price Gouging: The creation of a Joint Task Force on Consumer Costs aims to prevent and prosecute price gouging, price-fixing, and other anticompetitive practices (Section 6(c)).
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Increased Supply of Necessities: The use of the Defense Production Act is intended to expand the productive capacity and supply of basic household necessities (Section 7(b)).
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Transparency in Regulations: Requening agencies to include household budget impact statements for major regulatory actions allows the public to see how those actions affect the average household versus large corporations (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limited Duration of Emergency Measures: The declared emergency and its associated actions are set to terminate after 180 days unless extended by a joint resolution (Section 3(b)(1)).
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Mandatory Task Force Termination: The Joint Task Force on Consumer Costs is scheduled to terminate 30 days after the expiration or rescission of the emergency (Section 6(g)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+8Good For Middle Class Households+7Good For Retirees+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For Farmers+4Good For Middle Aged+4Good For People With Disabilities+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Students+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Children+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Immigrants+3Good For L G B T Q Community+3Good For Men+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For Union Workers+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Women+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Billionaires-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+8Reduces Inflation+5Improves Small Business Support+4Improves Economic Growth+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+6Improves Affordable Housing+5Reduces Homelessness+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+4Reduces Hospital Costs+4Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Increases Federal Power+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Gas Prices+4Improves Public Transit+3
- 4/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, the Budget, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike LevinDemocrat · California