In many parts of the country, water prices have risen significantly over the last decade, far outpacing many people's wages. When a family can't pay their bill, their water is often shut off, which leads to major health risks and can even lead to families losing their homes. While the government has long helped with food and energy costs, water has often been overlooked at the federal level.

If this bill becomes law, it would create a permanent safety net for one of the most basic human needs. It would help prevent mass water shut-offs in struggling communities and provide more financial stability for water utilities, which often struggle to maintain aging pipes when residents cannot afford to pay their rates.