Senate Follows House in Killing Biden Reg Imposing Curbs on Energy Use of Walk-In Coolers

Apr 3, 2025 - 16:28
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Senate Follows House in Killing Biden Reg Imposing Curbs on Energy Use of Walk-In Coolers

Senate Republicans voted to repeal a Biden administration regulation pertaining to walk-in freezers and coolers Thursday, in a move they say will save small-business owners money. The resolution, H.J. Res. 24, passed 53-42 on a straight party-line vote.

The Congressional Review Act resolution eliminates then-President Joe Biden’s 2024 limits on the energy use of walk-in coolers, which are used by many small businesses. It had passed the House 203-182 on March 27 on a mostly party-line vote.

Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., who introduced the regulation on the House side, argued that the energy-efficiency standards were a source of financial strain for owners of pharmacies, stores, and restaurants, while providing little benefit. 

“[The Department of Energy] estimates that the rule would carry a minimum price tag of nearly $1 billion, with minimal energy-usage reduction,” said Bice on the House floor in March.

“This action [of repealing the rule] aligns with our broader commitment to roll back burdensome regulations that stifle economic growth and infringe upon individual freedoms,” she said.

After the vote, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., applauded the resolution, calling it an “Easy ‘yes’ vote,” and fellow Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford also applauded it on X

But Democrats have argued the rule is a waste of time.

Rep. Sarah McBride, R-Del., the first transgender member of Congress, posted on X, “the absurdity never ends in a Republican-controlled House of Representatives.” 

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., shouted, “You think that the American people voted for you to waste our time on refrigeration standards?” when the resolution was debated in the House.

The resolution is another step in a broader Republican effort to undo a number of Biden administration regulations. Another example is the Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 17.

The post Senate Follows House in Killing Biden Reg Imposing Curbs on Energy Use of Walk-In Coolers appeared first on The Daily Signal.

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Fibis I am just an average American. My teen years were in the late 70s and I participated in all that that decade offered. Started working young, too young. Then I joined the Army before I graduated High School. I spent 25 years in, mostly in Infantry units. Since then I've worked in information technology positions all at small family owned companies. At this rate I'll never be a tech millionaire. When I was young I rode horses as much as I could. I do believe I should have been a cowboy. I'm getting in the saddle again by taking riding lessons and see where it goes.