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119th Congress
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HOUSEH.Res. 161· 119th Congress

House votes to kill EPA and DOE rules, set 2025 budget

Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 20) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters"; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 35) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions"; and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

Sponsor
Erin Houchin (R-IN)
Introduced
Feb 25, 2025
Last Action
Feb 25, 2025
Passage
68%
✓
Introduced
Feb 25, 2025
✓
Committee
—
✓
Floor Vote
Feb 25, 2025
4
Both Chambers
—
5
Enacted
—
01 — The Text

What.

  • Allows House to vote on blocking two federal regulations: EPA rule on natural gas methane emissions and DOE rule on gas water heater efficiency standards.
  • Sets the official congressional budget blueprint for fiscal year 2025 and spending ceilings through 2034.
  • Passed House 217-211 on Feb. 25, split almost entirely along party lines.
02 — The Stakes

So what?

  • Energy producers win if EPA emissions rule fails; environmental groups and climate advocates lose the methane charge requirement.
  • Gas appliance manufacturers benefit from blocked DOE efficiency standards; consumers may face fewer incentives for energy-efficient water heaters.
  • Budget resolution sets the fiscal guardrails for all spending and tax legislation Congress will consider for next decade.
03 — The Path

Now what?

  • Resolution passed House; it now enables floor votes on the two disapproval resolutions (H.J. Res. 20 and 35) separately.
  • Resolutions targeting EPA and DOE rules next face their own votes; both likely pass House but face uncertain Senate reception.
  • Contact your House representative to indicate position on methane emissions enforcement and appliance efficiency standards.
Legislative History

Actions.

  • Feb 25, 2025 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • Feb 25, 2025 — On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 217 - 211 (Roll no. 47). (text: CR H781)
  • Feb 25, 2025 — Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 217 - 211 (Roll no. 47). (text: CR H781)
  • Feb 25, 2025 — On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 210 (Roll no. 46).
  • Feb 25, 2025 — Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H790-791)
  • Feb 25, 2025 — POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 161, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • Feb 25, 2025 — DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 161.
  • Feb 25, 2025 — Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H781-790)