House passes the FENCES Act
On Passage
APR 16, 2026 · 12:20 PM ET
Party-line vote, except 6 Democrats and 1 Republican who crossed. Cleared the 215 needed by 5 votes.
What the House was voting on
The House of Representatives voted on the FENCES Act, a bill designed to change how air quality rules are enforced across the country. Currently, if a state's air pollution levels are too high, the federal government can impose penalties or require strict new regulations. This bill allows states to 'excuse' certain high pollution readings if they can prove the smog or particles came from natural events like wildfires or blew in from another country. The goal is to ensure states aren't punished for environmental factors they cannot control, though they are still required to manage the pollution they create themselves.
Pass the FENCES Act in the House.
Reject the bill in the House.
Allows certain air-quality penalties and nonattainment designations to account for pollution beyond a state’s control.
Passed the House 220–208 on April 16, 2026. Now waiting in the Senate, 310 days after it was introduced.
- TIES
- A tie fails in the House: a majority means more yeas than nays.
215 is a majority of the 428 members voting yes or no. Members voting “present” or absent don’t count.
- TIES
- A tie fails in the House: a majority means more yeas than nays.
Party line, with 6 Democrats and 1 Republican crossing6 Democrats and 1 Republican crossed. It passed.
Every vote on H.R. 6409, in both chambersEvery vote on H.R. 6409
- APR 9Reported by Energy and CommerceREPORTED25–22
- APR 15#111Previous question on the rule (H.Res. 1174)AGREED TO212–211
- APR 15#112On the rule (H.Res. 1174)AGREED TO214–212
- APR 16#115Motion to recommitFAILED213–215
- APR 16#116THIS VOTEOn passagePASSED220–2085 votes to spare over the 215 needed.
Coverage of this vote and its bill7 stories from 5 outlets
- OaoaPfluger continues to lead the charge for much-needed permitting reform
- Kill the NewsletterChairman Guthrie Delivers Floor Remarks on Permitting Reform Bills
- Hill HeatThe Week in Climate Hearings: Carbon Summer and Nuclear Winter
- DailyfreemanHow they voted: Ryan, Riley on Iran war, pollution exemptions
- Common DreamsLEFTWestern Groups Warn Democrats: 'No Deal With Devil on Permit Reform'
- Kill the NewsletterChairman Palmer Delivers Opening Statement at Rules Committee Hearing on Permitting Reform Legislation
- Hill HeatThe Week in Climate Hearings: Carbon Summer and Nuclear Winter
Lean describes the outlets, not the vote.
