Congress·In Progress·S.J.Res. 4

A joint resolution 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".

Gas Water Heaters: Blocking New Energy Standards

Feb 12, 2025·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Next up: A senate committeeNo action in 17 months

A senate committee must act next: committee consideration.

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Likely to pass

With a Republican majority in the Senate and the resolution already moving to the full calendar, it has a strong chance of passing and being signed by a president who opposes these rules.

Key Points

This resolution aims to stop a Department of Energy rule that sets new energy efficiency standards for gas-fired tankless water heaters. If passed, the government would be forbidden from enforcing these specific rules on manufacturers and homeowners.
Supporters of this move argue that the new standards would make appliances more expensive for families and limit the types of water heaters available in stores. They believe these regulations are an example of the government interfering too much in daily life.
The resolution uses a special process called the Congressional Review Act. This allows Congress to completely cancel a recently issued agency rule with a simple majority vote in both the House and the Senate.
If this effort succeeds, the Department of Energy would also be blocked from creating any similar rules in the future unless Congress passes a new law specifically allowing it.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

2 milestones4 actions

Feb 12, 2025Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 12.

The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.

Feb 12, 2025Senate

Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).

Jan 23, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced in Senate

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

No votes or news coverage recorded for this bill yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

A joint resolution 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".

Bill NumberSJRES 4

Congress119th Congress

ChamberSenate

Latest ActionPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 12.