House Rules Committee approves closed rules to advance GOP bills rolling back appliance-efficiency mandates

The House Rules Committee on Thursday approved closed rules to advance two Republican-backed bills that would restrict federal appliance-efficiency mandates and repeal selected Inflation Reduction Act programs.

The committee’s action, led by Representative Griffith’s motion, clears floor consideration for H.R. 4626, the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act, and H.R. 4758, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, under closed rules that waive points of order, provide one hour of debate split between the parties, and allow a single motion to recommit for each bill.

Why it matters: Supporters said the measures protect consumer choice and lower housing and appliance costs by rolling back federal mandates; opponents warned the bills would rescind rebates, workforce grants and building-code assistance funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and would raise utility and housing costs for working households.

In testimony before the committee, Representative Weber (Committee on Energy and Commerce) said the bills “modernize provisions of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act” and argued federal mandates can increase costs for households. “If the Democrats’ electrification strategy truly lowered cost for households, there would be no reason to spend billions of dollars along the way,” Weber said in his remarks.

Representative Castor, the other witness from the Energy and Commerce Committee, took an opposing view, saying energy-efficiency standards have saved consumers money over time and that the bills would remove IRA-funded rebates and training programs that help households afford efficient appliances. “These bills will make life more expensive for hardworking Americans,” Castor said.

Ranking Member McGovern led Democratic objections on process and substance. He argued the committee’s use of closed rules prevents amendment and debate: “The House of Representatives is deteriorating in real time under Speaker Johnson,” McGovern said, and he urged the committee to demand Secretary of Energy certification that the bills would not raise household energy costs. McGovern offered an amendment to that effect; after a roll-call, the amendment failed, 3 ayes to 6 nays.

Committee action and votes: Representative Griffith moved to report the closed rules for both bills; after debate and two separate roll-call calls requested by McGovern, the committee reported the motion to the House floor. The clerk recorded the final vote on the motion to report as 6 yeas and 3 nays.

What proponents and opponents said: Supporters, including Representative Jack, framed the bills as deregulatory steps that would reduce the cost of building homes and broaden consumer choice. Opponents, led by Castor and reiterated by members who cited Consumer Reports and the Consumer Federation of America, said the standards reduce energy use and put downward pressure on utility rates over time. The committee exchange also included questions about related matters, including a separate E15 council and whether leadership had met deadlines tied to that council.

What happens next: With the rules reported, H.R. 4626 and H.R. 4758 are positioned for floor consideration under the terms the Rules Committee set. The committee named Representative Griffith to manage the rule for the majority and Representative McGovern for the minority. The committee adjourned without further testimony.