Bill would tighten rules for setting home appliance efficiency standards
Passed one chamberH.R. 4626Latest action
Sponsor: Rick W. Allen · Representative · GA
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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New DOE appliance efficiency rules would face stricter tests and could not use climate cost estimates.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The bill adds requirements the Secretary of Energy must meet before setting or updating appliance efficiency standards, including feasibility, no net cost increase to consumers, minimum savings thresholds, and a ban on using climate-related cost or benefit estimates. It also requires public disclosure of meetings tied to foreign entities like China, makes it easier to petition against existing standards, requires a two-year review of new standards, and permanently bars new efficiency standards for distribution transformers.
Who does it affect?
Appliance manufacturers, utility companies, and the Department of Energy's rulemaking process are directly affected; consumers, environmental groups, and industry groups involved in rulemaking are affected indirectly.
Why does it matter?
Supporters may see it as preventing rules that raise appliance costs, while critics may see it as slowing future energy and water efficiency improvements.
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Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJul 23, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Feb 25, 2026
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Recorded votes
Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.
House · · Roll call 76
As recorded
- Question
- On Passage
- Result:
- Passed
- 217
- Nay
- 190
- 0
- 25
Republicans 210 yes, 8 not voting · Democrats 7 yes, 190 no, 17 not voting
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record
House · · Roll call 75
As recorded
- Question
- On
- Result:
- Failed
- 197
- Nay
- 208
- 0
- 27
Republicans 208 no, 10 not voting · Democrats 197 yes, 17 not voting
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record