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The House passed H.J.Res. 20, a resolution to overturn a Department of Energy regulation that set new energy efficiency standards for tankless gas water heaters. The measure passed 221-198.
This vote was on a "joint resolution of disapproval" aimed at a Department of Energy (DOE) rule. The rule in question established stricter energy conservation standards for consumer gas-fired instantaneous (tankless) water heaters. By passing this resolution, the House moved to nullify those standards before they could be fully implemented. This type of vote uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a tool that allows Congress to strike down federal agency regulations with a simple majority in both chambers. It is a way for the legislative branch to override specific policy decisions made by executive branch agencies. The resolution passed with a largely party-line vote, though 17 Democrats joined the Republican majority. Because it passed the House and eventually became law, the DOE's energy standards for these specific water heaters were cancelled and the agency is prohibited from issuing a similar rule in the future without new authorization.
Following House passage, the resolution moved to the Senate for consideration before eventually being signed into law.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This vote impacts the energy efficiency of appliances sold in the U.S. and represents a significant use of legislative power to cancel executive branch regulations.
Who’s affected. Manufacturers of gas water heaters: They are no longer required to redesign their products to meet the stricter DOE energy standards. · Consumers: Buyers may have lower upfront costs for water heaters but could see higher long-term utility bills due to lower energy efficiency.
Democrats. Most Democrats voted against the resolution to protect the energy efficiency standards, while 17 members joined the Republican majority.
Republicans. Republicans voted nearly unanimously to pass the resolution, arguing against what they characterized as regulatory overreach.
On Passage
Feb 27, 2025
The House passed H.J.Res.
20, a resolution to overturn a Department of Energy regulation that set new energy efficiency standards for tankless gas water heaters. The measure passed 221-198.
This is a Congressional Review Act (CRA) vote, which allows Congress to overturn a regulation recently issued by a federal agency. If both the House and Senate pass the resolution and the President signs it, the regulation is immediately voided.
Following House passage, the resolution moved to the Senate for consideration before eventually being signed into law.
This vote impacts the energy efficiency of appliances sold in the U.S. and represents a significant use of legislative power to cancel executive branch regulations.
The vote followed a party-line pattern, with Republicans almost entirely in favor and most Democrats opposed, though a small group of Democrats crossed over to vote with the majority.
Most Democrats voted against the resolution to protect the energy efficiency standards, while 17 members joined the Republican majority.
Republicans voted nearly unanimously to pass the resolution, arguing against what they characterized as regulatory overreach.
The one independent member voted in favor of the resolution.