POVERTY SHOULD NOT BE A PUNISHMENT: PASS PERMANENT UTILITY PROTECTIONS NOW

Water, electricity, heating and cooling are necessities for survival, not luxuries. Congress must recognize access to essential utilities as a human right and protect people from losing these services simply because they cannot afford a bill. House members should support H.R. 8254, the Water Access and Affordability Act, and support reintroduction of the Resolution Recognizing the Human Rights to Utilities. Senators must introduce and support companion legislation, including a Senate companion to H.R. 8254 and a Senate resolution recognizing the human right to water, sanitation, electricity, heating and cooling. No one should have their water shut off, electricity disconnected, or be left without safe heating or cooling because they are poor. Guarantee access to life-sustaining utilities. Protect people from shutoffs. Make assistance permanent. Act now.