Lower Prices at the Pump Act

Key Points

• This bill makes it illegal for companies to charge unfairly high prices for gasoline and other petroleum fuels while the U.S. is involved in military operations against Iran. The ban stays in place until the President certifies that fighting has stopped and the Strait of Hormuz is fully open for global shipping.
• To decide if a price is too high, officials will compare it to what the company charged in the 30 days before February 28, 2026. They will also look at whether the price is much higher than what nearby competitors charge and whether the increase reflects real cost increases or market risks.
• The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general can enforce the ban through civil lawsuits. Companies can also face criminal fines of up to $500 million, with the Department of Justice prioritizing enforcement against the largest fuel sellers.
• Any penalty money collected would go into a new Consumer Relief Trust Fund. That money would then be used to help low-income families with heating and cooling costs through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program.