The U.S. House of Representatives has approved two bills intended to lower costs for families and increase consumer choice in the home appliance and energy sectors. Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, announced the passage of H.R. 4626, known as the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act, and H.R. 4758, called the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act.
These bills aim to update current energy efficiency regulations, return more decision-making power to consumers regarding home appliances and commercial equipment, and remove green energy programs viewed as increasing expenses for homeowners.
“For too long, burdensome regulations established by the Biden-Harris Administration have driven up costs for home buyers, forcing them to pay more for appliances that fail to offer reasonable energy savings,” said Chairman Guthrie. “The Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act cuts red tape and ensures that regulations aren’t being weaponized as part of a radical, left-wing agenda. Likewise, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act puts an end to expensive building code mandates that push homeownership out of reach for millions of hardworking families. Thank you to Congressman Allen and Congressman Goldman for their work on lowering prices in communities across the country.”
Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), sponsor of H.R. 4626, stated: “The American people do not need the federal government to tell them which household appliances will best meet the needs of their families. In issuing egregious regulations on home appliances and attempting to tilt the scales on what consumers purchase, the Biden-Harris Department of Energy significantly drove up costs and reduced availability for American families. My legislation, the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act, is a commonsense measure to prevent future administrations from repeating the same harmful mistakes. House passage of H.R. 4626 is a win for consumer choice. I thank Chairmen Guthrie and Latta, as well as House Republican Leadership for their continued support of this legislation.”
Rep. Lance Goldman (TX-12), author of H.R. 4758, commented: “The Biden-Harris Administration implemented costly green energy regulations that made life unaffordable for many Americans,” said Rep. Goldman.“Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Guthrie and support from my fellow Republican Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues, my Homeowner Energy Freedom Act has passed out of the House. This bill repeals costly red tape and will help improve housing affordability for Americans.”
H.R. 4626 amends existing law by easing regulatory demands on home appliances with an emphasis on increasing consumer options while ensuring any standards are cost-effective.
H.R. 4758 repeals certain sections within previous legislation that subsidized regulatory programs tied to building codes considered by supporters as expensive or restrictive.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce plays a significant role in shaping policies related to energy use, health care systems, environmental protection efforts, telecommunications development, broadband expansion initiatives, pharmaceutical pricing oversight and other consumer matters (official website). Established in 1795 as one of Congress’s oldest standing committees (official website), it continues to influence major areas including infrastructure policy and public health through bipartisan measures (official website).
