WASHINGTON D.C. January 11, 2026 — Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) delivered an emotional, unplanned speech on the House floor, sharply criticizing a Republican-sponsored bill related to energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes. The congresswoman accused Republicans of prioritizing corporate interests over the needs of low-income and working families.
“I wasn’t planning on speaking on this bill this morning,” Stansbury began, “but I have to say that I cannot stand when politicians come into the chambers of these hallowed halls… pretending to represent the hard-working poor and working families of this country and actually are doing the bidding of corporations.”
Stansbury, who shared that she grew up in a trailer home as a low-income individual, defended energy efficiency standards and related support programs. She argued that these measures help residents—often low-income—afford utility bills and maintain quality living conditions.
“This is not about poor people. This is not about working people. This is not about making manufactured homes and trailers better for people that live in them,” she said. “This is about doing the bidding of corporations… Efficiency standards and efficiency programs make it possible for low-income people to actually have high-quality utilities and to be able to afford their utility bills. That is what actually helps working people.”
The bill in question appears to address Department of Energy efficiency rules for manufactured housing, which industry groups and Republicans have criticized for raising upfront costs for buyers. Democrats, including Stansbury, contend that the standards provide long-term savings on energy costs for residents.
Stansbury called the legislation “hypocritical” and a “cheap deal” for industry interests, adding, “We’re tired of your hypocritical and cheap bills that you’re running on the floor.”
She then pivoted to praise recent Democratic efforts on healthcare, noting a vote to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. “Yesterday was a good day for the American people,” she said. “What it looks like when you work for working people is you get shit done. And yesterday we passed… an extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies so that hard-working Americans can actually afford health care.”
In a post on X sharing the video clip of her speech, Stansbury wrote: “I refuse to stay silent while politicians claim to stand with hard-working Americans but then turn around and do the bidding of corporations. Programs that lower utility costs and protect our homes are what is actually needed… This week, House Dems showed what it looks like to get it done by forcing a vote on Healthcare tax credits… Now, it’s time for the Senate to do its part.”
The speech quickly gained traction online, with the video amassing thousands of views and hundreds of interactions within hours.
The exchange highlights ongoing partisan divides over energy regulations, housing affordability, and healthcare policy in the early days of the new Congress.
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