119 HR 8214 IH: W.A.R. Act Wartime Anti-Profiteering and Relief Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-04-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8214IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 9, 2026Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 concernedA BILLTo provide emergency, targeted relief to middle-income Americans facing higher costs of living arising from war-related disruptions in global energy markets caused by the current conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, and to prevent war profiteering in essential goods, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the W.A.R. Act Wartime Anti-Profiteering and Relief Act.

2.

Findings; declaration of emergency

(a)

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)The ongoing armed conflict involving the United States, Israel, And Iran (in this Act referred to as the U.S. Israel–Iran conflict) has contributed to elevated global oil prices and higher gasoline prices for consumers in the United States, with national averages rising and forecasters warning of additional inflationary pressure on transportation and logistics costs. (2)Natural gas and liquefied natural gas markets are under strain because a significant share of global supply transits or is priced with reference to routes in and around the strait of hormuz, which are directly affected by the U.S Israel–Iran conflict, exposing American households to higher heating and electricity costs. (3)Increases in energy prices arising from the U.S Israel–Iran conflict have cascading effects on the costs of housing, food, and borrowing, disproportionately burdening middle-income households who are ineligible for many low-income assistance programs but lack sufficient savings to absorb sustained price shocks. (4)Bad actors, including certain market participants in fuel, home heating, and consumer staples, have both the incentive and opportunity to engage in unjustified price increases during the U.S Israel–Iran conflict, exacerbating hardship for American families. (b)

Declaration of emergency

It is the sense of Congress that the United States is experiencing a war-related energy cost emergency directly attributable to the U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict that warrants targeted, temporary relief for middle-income households and enhanced enforcement against price gouging in essential goods, for the duration of that conflict and its immediate aftermath only.

3.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury. (2)

Middle-income household

The term middle-income household means, with respect to a taxable year, a taxpayer whose household income is between $80,000 and $160,000. (3)

U.S. Israel–Iran conflict

The term U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict means the armed conflict beginning on or about February 2026 in which the United States is materially engaged in hostilities in support of Israel against Iran and associated forces, as identified in public determinations by the President pursuant to the War Powers Resolution. (4)

Designated U.S. Israel–Iran war energy emergency period

The term designated U.S.–Israel–Iran war energy emergency period means the period— (A)beginning on the date of enactment of this Act; and (B)ending on the earlier of— (i)The date that is 365 days after the effective date of a ceasefire or other agreement formally terminating active hostilities in the U.S Israel–Iran conflict, as certified by the President; or (ii)The date on which the secretary of energy and the secretary jointly certify to congress that energy prices attributable to the U.S Israel–Iran conflict have materially normalized.