our bill will crack down on these excessive rates, rein in corporate greed, and deliver real relief for families
Crack down on utilities overcharging consumers by limiting excessive utility profits and banning ratepayers from being charged for lobbying, private jets, and political contributions.
Occurrences
introduced a new bill to crack down on utilities overcharging consumers
The New Affordability Agenda shows how Democrats can actually make things cheaper for working people by taking on special interests who are ripping people off. ... These are the kind of bold, populist ideas Democrats should talk about in 2026 and pass in 2027. We are glad that many of these ideas already have support across the Democratic caucus, and we look forward to working to get them actually passed as soon as possible.
Evidence
Rep. Greg Casar and Rep. Josh Riley announced the Lowering Utility Bills Act, saying it would crack down on utilities overcharging consumers by banning rate recovery for private jet rides, lobbying, and political contributions and by setting a national standard for a reasonable return on equity.
GovInfo records H.R. 8568, the Lowering Utility Bills Act, as introduced in the House on April 29, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The full title says it would amend federal utility law to require investor-owned electric and gas utilities and transmission providers to use the lowest return on equity in an established range of reasonableness.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus listed 'making utilities cheaper by cracking down on for-profit utilities overcharging consumers' as part of its affordability agenda, with Casar identified among the members promoting the agenda.
Assessments
Casar took concrete same-term action toward the promise by introducing H.R. 8568, the Lowering Utility Bills Act, on April 29, 2026. The bill matches the core promised mechanisms by targeting excessive utility profits and banning rate recovery for lobbying, private jets, and political contributions. But the available evidence shows only introduction and committee referral, not passage, enactment, or implemented policy. Because he materially advanced the promise but has not yet delivered the outcome, the best judgment is unresolved rather than delivered or never.
Casar introduced the Lowering Utility Bills Act in the 119th Congress, and the bill closely matches the promise by targeting excessive utility returns and barring ratepayer recovery for lobbying, political contributions, and private jet costs. However, the evidence only shows introduction and committee referral as of April 29, 2026, not passage, enactment, or implemented federal regulation. Because he is still in the relevant federal office and the bill remains a live legislative effort, the promise is not yet delivered but also should not be scored as a failed promise.