H.J. Res. 42 is a congressional disapproval resolution that voids a Department of Energy (DOE) rule on appliance energy efficiency standards. The resolution specifically targets the DOE's 2024 rule requiring certification, labeling, and enforcement for energy-efficient appliances and commercial equipment. By disapproving this rule under federal law (5 U.S.C. § 801), the resolution prevents the rule from taking effect, meaning appliance manufacturers and retailers would not need to comply with its requirements. This resolution directly affects the implementation of the DOE's energy conservation program for consumer products and commercial equipment.
This resolution blocks a Department of Energy rule that would have set new energy efficiency standards for gas-fired instant water heaters. It prevents the rule from taking effect, meaning appliance manufacturers would not have to meet the proposed efficiency requirements. The rule, submitted in December 2024, directly affected manufacturers of these water heaters and consumers purchasing them. Congress approved this disapproval through a joint resolution passed on May 9, 2025.
HJRES 78 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that granted endangered species status to the San Francisco Bay-Delta population of the longfin smelt, a fish native to California's Bay-Delta region. If passed, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the smelt from receiving federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. The rule, published in the Federal Register in July 2024, aimed to protect this specific fish population from threats like habitat loss and water management practices. This resolution does not create new policy but directly reverses an existing regulatory action affecting the smelt and its ecosystem.
HRES 242 is a procedural resolution that sets the rules for the House to consider three specific legislative items: two resolutions (H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 75) seeking to block Department of Energy energy efficiency rules for commercial refrigeration equipment (walk-in coolers/freezers and commercial refrigerators/freezers), and a bill (H.R. 1048) to amend the Higher Education Act regarding foreign gifts and contracts. It establishes one hour of debate for each measure, waives objections to their consideration, and specifies voting procedures. The resolution itself does not change policy but enables the House to vote on these underlying bills. This procedural step affects only the legislative process, not the final outcome of the bills.
HJRES 35 is a congressional resolution disapproving an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that established procedures for emissions charges on petroleum and natural gas systems. Specifically, it targets the EPA’s November 2024 rule titled "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions," which would have required companies to pay fees based on emissions. The resolution, passed by both chambers in February 2025, nullifies the rule, preventing it from taking effect. This directly affects oil and gas companies subject to the EPA’s emissions regulations, removing a specific compliance mechanism they would have faced.
HRES 177 is a procedural resolution that sets the rules for the House to consider three separate disapproval resolutions. It enables debate and voting on H.J. Res. 42 (to disapprove a Department of Energy appliance energy efficiency rule), H.J. Res. 61 (to disapprove an EPA rule on tire manufacturing emissions), and S.J. Res. 11 (to disapprove a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management rule protecting marine archaeological resources). The resolution waives most procedural objections and limits debate to one hour per disapproval measure. It does not change any regulations itself but provides the process for Congress to potentially reject them.
HRES 161 is a procedural resolution that establishes rules for the House of Representatives to consider three specific measures: (1) a joint resolution disapproving an Energy Department rule on water heater efficiency standards, (2) a joint resolution disapproving an EPA rule on emissions charges for gas systems, and (3) a concurrent resolution setting the federal budget for fiscal year 2025 and future years. It waives procedural objections, sets time limits for debate (one hour each for the first two), and outlines the voting process for these items. This resolution itself does not change policy but enables Congress to vote on the underlying disapproval measures and budget resolution. It affects House members and the legislative process, not direct policy outcomes for the public or industries.
