WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.J.Res. 20 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-6

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".

Became lawEnergy
IntroducedJan 15, 2025
Passed HouseFeb 27, 2025
Passed SenateApr 10, 2025
To PresidentMay 9, 2025
Became lawMay 9, 2025

What it does

Sourced

This joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters and submitted by the Department of Energy (DOE) on December 26, 2024. Under the rule, DOE adopted amended energy conservation standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that DOE determined was technologically feasible and economically justified.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, May 9, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2025-05-09Became Public Law No: 119-6.Library of Congress
  2. 2025-05-09Became Public Law No: 119-6.Library of Congress
  3. 2025-05-09Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2025-05-09Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2025-05-09Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2025-05-09Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-04-10Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  8. 2025-04-10Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 44. Record Vote Number: 207. Roll call recordSenate
  9. 2025-04-10Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 44. Record Vote Number: 207. Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  10. 2025-04-10Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2533, S2537-2538)Senate
  11. 2025-04-09Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2506)Senate
  12. 2025-04-09Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 42. Record Vote Number: 206. Roll call recordSenate
  13. 2025-03-03Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 17.Senate
  14. 2025-02-27Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  15. 2025-02-27On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 198, 2 Present (Roll no. 53). (text: CR H884) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  16. 2025-02-27Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 198, 2 Present (Roll no. 53). (text: CR H884) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  17. 2025-02-27The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  18. 2025-02-27DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 20.House floor actions
  19. 2025-02-27Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 20, H.J. Res. 35 and H. Con. Res. 14. The resolution provides for consideration of two joint resolutions, H.J.Res.20, under a closed rule and H.J.Res. 35, under a closed rule. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H. Con. Res. 14, under a closed rule. The joint resolutions are debated for one hour each and the concurrent resolution is debated for 3 hours.House floor actions
  20. 2025-02-27Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 161. (consideration: CR H884-889)House floor actions
  21. 2025-02-25Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 161 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 20, H.J. Res. 35 and H. Con. Res. 14. The resolution provides for consideration of two joint resolutions, H.J.Res.20, under a closed rule and H.J.Res. 35, under a closed rule. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H. Con. Res. 14, under a closed rule. The joint resolutions are debatable for one hour each and the concurrent resolution is debatable for 3 hours.House floor actions
  22. 2025-01-15Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
  23. 2025-01-15Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  24. 2025-01-15Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

After it became law

Sourced

Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-6 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

Recorded votes

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Feb 27, 2025 · House roll call 53 · needed 1/2

On Passage: Passed 221–198

R 210 yes, 0 no, 8 present or not votingD 11 yes, 198 no, 6 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Apr 9, 2025 · Senate roll call 206 · needed 1/2

On the Motion to Proceed: Motion to Proceed Agreed to 52–42

R 50 yes, 0 no, 3 present or not votingI 0 yes, 1 no, 1 present or not votingD 2 yes, 41 no, 2 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Apr 10, 2025 · Senate roll call 207 · needed 1/2

On the Joint Resolution: Joint Resolution Passed 53–44

R 51 yes, 0 no, 2 present or not votingI 0 yes, 1 no, 1 present or not votingD 2 yes, 43 no

How each member voted · Official record

Cosponsors

  • James R. Baird R-IN-4
  • Cliff Bentz R-OR-2
  • Jack Bergman R-MI-1
  • Stephanie I. Bice R-OK-5
  • Eric Burlison R-MO-7
  • Earl L. "Buddy" Carter R-GA-1
  • Ben Cline R-VA-6
  • Mike Collins R-GA-10
  • Dan Crenshaw R-TX-2
  • Michelle Fischbach R-MN-7
  • Russ Fulcher R-ID-1
  • Brandon Gill R-TX-26
  • Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene R-GA-14
  • Glenn Grothman R-WI-6
  • Jeff Hurd R-CO-3
  • Brian Jack R-GA-3
  • Nicholas A. Langworthy R-NY-23
  • Julia Letlow R-LA-5
  • Barry Loudermilk R-GA-11
  • Mark B. Messmer R-IN-8
  • Barry Moore R-AL-1
  • Andrew Ogles R-TN-5
  • Scott Perry R-PA-10
  • Michael A. Rulli R-OH-6
  • Derek Schmidt R-KS-2
  • Austin Scott R-GA-8
  • Claudia Tenney R-NY-24
  • Randy K. Weber, Sr. R-TX-14
  • Rudy Yakym III R-IN-2