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H.R. 4979 117th Congress House

Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021

Official title: To provide emergency loans to maintain access to essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.

Introduced: August 6, 2021 Introduced by: Rashida Tlaib Democratic · Michigan See on congress.gov
Energy AppropriationsBusiness investment and capitalBusiness recordsCardiovascular and respiratory health
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Congressional oversightConsumer creditElectric power generation and transmissionEmergency medical services and trauma careGovernment information and archivesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesIncome tax exclusionInfectious and parasitic diseasesInterest, dividends, interest ratesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaPublic utilities and utility ratesSolid waste and recyclingWater qualityWater use and supply
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 6, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
Aug 6, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Latest action August 6, 2021

Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021

This bill establishes several loan programs to assist households with paying utility bills for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater management, energy (e.g., electricity, natural gas, or propane), and internet services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Under the programs, the utilities may apply for loans that are equal to the amount of the payment shortfall from their customers during the emergency.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1783 Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 9
All 9 Democratic 6
D
Carson, André
Indiana · Sep 27, 2021
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Sep 27, 2021
 D
Hayes, Jahana
Connecticut · Sep 3, 2021
 D
Jayapal, Pramila
Washington · Aug 24, 2021
Jones, Mondaire
· Aug 24, 2021
Bowman, Jamaal
· Aug 6, 2021
 D
García, Jesús G. "Chuy"
Illinois · Aug 6, 2021
 D
Grijalva, Raúl M.
Arizona · Aug 6, 2021
 D
Khanna, Ro
California · Aug 6, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4979: Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4979/
MLA
"H.R. 4979: Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4979/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4979, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4979/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4979: Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4979/)
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