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The House voted 222-203 to pass H.J.Res. 42, a resolution that cancels a Department of Energy rule regarding energy efficiency standards for appliances. The measure passed largely along party lines.
This vote was on a joint resolution to stop a new regulation from the Department of Energy (DOE). The rule in question would have changed how appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners are certified, labeled, and checked for energy efficiency. By passing this resolution, Congress used its power to officially reject and nullify the executive branch's new standards. This was a final vote on "passage," which is the last step for a bill in the House of Representatives. Because this is a "joint resolution of disapproval" under the Congressional Review Act, it is a specific tool Congress uses to overturn rules made by government agencies. It required a simple majority of those present to pass. The resolution passed with nearly all Republicans in favor and most Democrats opposed. Since the resolution ultimately became law, the Department of Energy's proposed rule was canceled and cannot be issued again in a substantially similar form without a new law from Congress. This keeps current appliance standards in place instead of moving to the new DOE requirements.
As this resolution has already become law, the rule is nullified and the agency is prohibited from issuing a similar rule in the future without new legislation.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This represents a major check on executive branch rulemaking regarding energy efficiency and environmental standards.
Who’s affected. Appliance Manufacturers: Companies will not need to update their testing or labeling processes to meet the now-canceled DOE standards. · Federal Agencies: The Department of Energy is now prohibited from issuing a similar rule in the future without specific authorization from Congress.
Democrats. Most Democrats voted against the resolution, supporting the Department of Energy's authority to set new efficiency standards.
Republicans. Republicans voted unanimously in favor of the resolution to block the new energy regulations.
On Passage
Mar 5, 2025
The House voted 222-203 to pass H.J.Res.
42, a resolution that cancels a Department of Energy rule regarding energy efficiency standards for appliances. The measure passed largely along party lines.
This is a final vote in the House to pass a resolution under the Congressional Review Act. This process allows Congress to vote to cancel a regulation recently issued by a federal agency before it takes full effect.
As this resolution has already become law, the rule is nullified and the agency is prohibited from issuing a similar rule in the future without new legislation.
This represents a major check on executive branch rulemaking regarding energy efficiency and environmental standards.
The vote followed strict party lines, with Republicans supporting the reversal of the regulation and Democrats largely voting to keep it in place.
Most Democrats voted against the resolution, supporting the Department of Energy's authority to set new efficiency standards.
Republicans voted unanimously in favor of the resolution to block the new energy regulations.
The one independent member voted in favor of the resolution.