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.
Key claim: A House rule (H.Res. 161) packages floor consideration of two Congressional Review Act disapproval resolutions — one nullifying DOE energy conservation standards for gas water heaters and one nullifying EPA methane waste emissions charge procedures — alongside the FY2025 congressional budget resolution.
Abstract
(HRES161 · 119th Congress) This resolution provides for the consideration of three measures. Specifically, it provides for the consideration of H.J. Res. 20, nullifying the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters ; H.J. Res. 35, nullifying 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 H.Con.Res. 14, establishing the congressional budget for FY2025 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2026 through FY2034. Latest action (2025-02-25): Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Why this matters
Packaging two Congressional Review Act disapproval resolutions with the FY2025 budget resolution on a single rule signals a coordinated effort to roll back both DOE appliance efficiency standards and EPA’s methane waste emissions charge. If enacted, the CRAs would nullify the underlying rules and bar substantially similar future rules, with practical effects on appliance costs, natural gas demand, and oil-and-gas methane compliance obligations.