Skip to main content
HR 4979 117th Congress House Energy Appropriations Business investment and capital Business records Cardiovascular and respiratory health Congressional oversight Consumer credit Electric power generation and transmission Emergency medical services and trauma care Government information and archives Government lending and loan guarantees Income tax exclusion Infectious and parasitic diseases Interest, dividends, interest rates Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Public utilities and utility rates Solid waste and recycling Water quality Water use and supply

Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021

Introduced: August 24, 2021 Introduced by: Tlaib, Rashida Democratic · Michigan See on congress.gov
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
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 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.

What's happening now 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.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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/)
Report a problem