From making it easier to extend Broadband services to rural areas of the nation to roll-back of appliance standards and gas hookups in new construction—–they were among 15 bills recently passed by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and sent to the full house for a vote.
Gas hookup bans, showerhead water limits, and mobile home energy efficiency requirements were among the measures targeted by Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans.
Critics contended that while the bills might mostly be “red meat” for the Republican voter base, the House GOP’s major energy industry donors like Chevron and Energy Transfer would likely see benefits if they became law. So reported Sludge, the investigative news site. Energy Transfer is the Dallas-based company with a major office in Oklahoma City and also the operator of the Dakota Access crude oil pipeline in North Dakota.
The Republicans who lead the Energy and Commerce Committee look at it obviously with a different view. Kentucky Rep. Brett Guthrie is chairman.
“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department of Energy issued efficiency regulations for nearly every appliance in American households. Energy efficiency is important as a general matter, but it’s a major problem when regulations are drafted to meet arbitrary standards despite diminishing returns on actual, cost-effective gains in efficiency,” said Chairman Guthrie. “Closing the digital divide and expanding access to reliable broadband will further drive American wireless and AI leadership. I see this first-hand in parts of my district that still lack the service they need to take full advantage of the digital economy.”
Legislative Vote Summary:
- H.R. 1343, Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 49 yeas – 0 nays.
- H.R. 1588, Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 50 yeas – 0 nays.
- H.R. 1665, DIGITAL Applications Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 51 yeas – 0 nays.
- H.R. 1681, Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 51 yeas – 0 nays.
- H.R. 1731, Standard FEES Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 49 yeas – 0 nays.
- H.R. 6046, Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 51 yeas – 0 nays.
- H.R. 2289, American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 26 yeas – 24 nays.
- H.R. 3474, Federal Mechanical Insulation Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 51 yeas – 0 nays.
- H.R. 3699, Energy Choice Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 24 yeas – 21 nays.
- H.R. 5184, Affordable Housing Over Mandating Efficiency Standards (Affordable HOMES) Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 30 yeas – 16 nays.
- H.R. 4690, Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 27 yeas – 21 nays.
- H.R. 4593, Saving Homeowners from Overregulation With Exceptional Rinsing (SHOWER) Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 28 yeas – 20 nays.
- H.R. 4758, Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 25 yeas – 21 nays.
- H.R. 4626, Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 26 yeas – 22 nays.
- H.R. 1355, Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025, was reported, as amended, to the full House by a roll call vote of 50 yeas – 0 nays.
Watch the full markup here.
Below are key excerpts from the markup:
Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) on the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025: “This bill brings together proposals from my Republican colleagues to cut red tape and speed broadband deployment. It streamlines approvals for new infrastructure by ensuring fees reflect actual cost, setting clear and timely permitting deadlines, and giving providers relief if they are wrongfully denied access. […] These reforms will accelerate investment, lower barriers, and help connect all Americans.”
Congressman Rick Allen (GA-12) on the Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act: “Under the guise of energy efficiency, the Biden-Harris Administration waged a four-year war on domestic fossil energy and consumer choice. And it was American families that that paid the price. From gas stoves, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and air conditioners, no household appliance was off limits in their pursuit of a radical rush to green agenda. And we can’t allow that to happen again. […] These are common sense changes that will ensure certainty for manufacturers and consumers and allow consumer choice.”
Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) on the SHOWER Act: “The affordability issue was caused by the Biden Administration and congressional Democrats turning a blind eye to what was happening in America when inflation rose 11%, 12%, 20%. They turned a blind eye to inflation rising faster than incomes to meet it. They turned a blind eye to a president who literally sleepwalked through his entire presidency, and the American people suffered for it.”