WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.J.Res. 24 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-7

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 Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers".

Became lawEnergy
IntroducedJan 16, 2025
Passed HouseMar 27, 2025
Passed SenateApr 3, 2025
To PresidentMay 5, 2025
Became lawMay 9, 2025

What it does

Sourced

This joint resolution eliminates new, more stringent energy conservation standards for certain walk-in coolers and freezers, including the new limits on maximum daily energy consumption for walk-in non-display doors. Under the joint resolution, walk-in non-display doors and walk-in refrigeration systems are no longer required to comply with the new standards.

Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers and submitted by the Department of Energy (DOE) on December 23, 2024. Under the rule, DOE adopted energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and freezers to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that DOE determined was technologically feasible and economically justified. The rule required walk-in non-display doors to comply with those standards by December 23, 2027, and walk-in refrigeration systems to comply with them by December 31, 2028.

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: 119-7.Library of Congress
  2. 2025-05-09Became Public Law No: 119-7.Library of Congress
  3. 2025-05-09Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2025-05-09Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2025-05-05Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2025-05-05Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-04-07Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  8. 2025-04-03Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 42. Record Vote Number: 162. Roll call recordSenate
  9. 2025-04-03Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 42. Record Vote Number: 162. Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  10. 2025-04-03Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2144, S2147)Senate
  11. 2025-04-02Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2138)Senate
  12. 2025-04-02Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 46. Record Vote Number: 161. (CR S2137-2138) Roll call recordSenate
  13. 2025-03-31Received in the Senate, read twice.Senate
  14. 2025-03-27Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  15. 2025-03-27On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 203 - 182 (Roll no. 77). (text: CR H1307) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  16. 2025-03-27Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 203 - 182 (Roll no. 77). (text: CR H1307) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  17. 2025-03-27The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  18. 2025-03-27DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 24.House floor actions
  19. 2025-03-27Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 24, H.J. Res. 75 and H.R. 1048. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 75 under a closed rule, and provides for consideration of H.R. 1048 under a structured rule. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each measure.House floor actions
  20. 2025-03-27Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 242. (consideration: CR H1307-1311)House floor actions
  21. 2025-03-24Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 242 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 24, H.J. Res. 75 and H.R. 1048. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 75 under a closed rule, and provides for consideration of H.R. 1048 under a structured rule. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each measure.House floor actions
  22. 2025-01-16Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
  23. 2025-01-16Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  24. 2025-01-16Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

After it became law

Sourced

Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-7 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

Recorded votes

Sourced

Mar 27, 2025 · House roll call 77 · needed 1/2

On Passage: Passed 203–182

R 197 yes, 0 no, 20 present or not votingD 6 yes, 182 no, 25 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Apr 2, 2025 · Senate roll call 161 · needed 1/2

On the Motion to Proceed: Motion to Proceed Agreed to 51–46

R 51 yes, 0 no, 2 present or not votingI 0 yes, 2 noD 0 yes, 44 no, 1 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Apr 3, 2025 · Senate roll call 162 · needed 1/2

On the Joint Resolution: Joint Resolution Passed 53–42

R 53 yes, 0 noI 0 yes, 2 noD 0 yes, 40 no, 5 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Cosponsors

  • Earl L. "Buddy" Carter R-GA-1
  • Andrew S. Clyde R-GA-9
  • Erin Houchin R-IN-9
  • Dusty Johnson R-SD-At Large
  • Barry Loudermilk R-GA-11
  • Mark B. Messmer R-IN-8
  • Gary J. Palmer R-AL-6
  • Scott Perry R-PA-10
  • Michael A. Rulli R-OH-6
  • Claudia Tenney R-NY-24