WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.J.Res. 42 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-8

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 for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment".

Became lawEnergy
IntroducedFeb 12, 2025
Passed HouseMar 5, 2025
Passed SenateApr 30, 2025
To PresidentMay 6, 2025
Became lawMay 9, 2025

What it does

Sourced

This joint resolution eliminates new, more stringent certification, labeling, and enforcement requirements related to energy conservation standards for specific types of appliances.

Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies a rule titled the Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment and published by the Department of Energy (DOE) on October 9, 2024. Under the rule, DOE modified its regulations on the energy efficiency of certain types of consumer products (e.g., washing machines and dishwashers) and industrial equipment (e.g., computer room air conditioners). DOE modified certification requirements, labeling requirements, and enforcement provisions for these products and equipment to (1) align reporting requirements with currently applicable energy conservation standards and test procedures, and (2) provide DOE with the information necessary to determine the appropriate classification of products for the application of standards.

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: 119-8.Library of Congress
  2. 2025-05-09Became Public Law No: 119-8.Library of Congress
  3. 2025-05-09Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2025-05-09Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2025-05-06Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2025-05-06Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-05-01Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  8. 2025-04-30Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 46. Record Vote Number: 223. Roll call recordSenate
  9. 2025-04-30Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 46. Record Vote Number: 223. Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  10. 2025-04-30Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2680-2683)Senate
  11. 2025-04-29Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2644)Senate
  12. 2025-04-29Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 46. Record Vote Number: 222. (CR S2644) Roll call recordSenate
  13. 2025-03-06Received in the Senate, read twice.Senate
  14. 2025-03-05Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  15. 2025-03-05On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 222 - 203 (Roll no. 59). (text: CR H991) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  16. 2025-03-05Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 222 - 203 (Roll no. 59). (text: CR H991) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  17. 2025-03-05Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H997-998)House floor actions
  18. 2025-03-05POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.J. Res. 42, the Chair put the question on passage of the joint resolution and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
  19. 2025-03-05The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  20. 2025-03-05DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 42.House floor actions
  21. 2025-03-05Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 42, H.J. Res. 61 and S.J. Res. 11. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 42, H.J. Res. 61, and S.J. Res. 11 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 42 and H.J. Res. 61 and one motion to commit on S.J. Res. 11.House floor actions
  22. 2025-03-05Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 177. (consideration: CR H991-996)House floor actions
  23. 2025-03-03Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 177 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 42, H.J. Res. 61 and S.J. Res. 11. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 42, H.J. Res. 61, and S.J. Res. 11 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 42 and H.J. Res. 61 and one motion to commit on S.J. Res. 11.House floor actions
  24. 2025-02-12Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
  25. 2025-02-12Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  26. 2025-02-12Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

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After it became law

Sourced

Since it became law on May 9, 2025, the Federal Register, the government's daily record of rules and notices, has published 1 document that name it: 1 final rule.

Named in the body of the document

The quote shows how each one uses the law: as the reason for a change, as background, or in passing.

  1. Final ruleSep 9, 2025Energy Department
    Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment
    It was sent to the President on May 6, 2025, and it was signed on May 9, 2025, thereby becoming Pub. L. 119-8.
    In effect since Sep 9, 2025 · Changes 10 CFR part 429, 10 CFR part 431

Found by searching the Federal Register for Public Law 119-8 and the law's names, then reading each document: every one listed contains them, and the quote is its own words. An agency can carry out a law without naming it, so this list can miss some. Checked Oct 27, 2026. Every new law's rules

Recorded votes

Sourced

Mar 5, 2025 · House roll call 59 · needed 1/2

On Passage: Passed 222–203

R 215 yes, 0 no, 3 present or not votingD 7 yes, 203 no, 4 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Apr 29, 2025 · Senate roll call 222 · needed 1/2

On the Motion to Proceed: Motion to Proceed Agreed to 52–46

R 52 yes, 0 no, 1 present or not votingI 0 yes, 2 noD 0 yes, 44 no, 1 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Apr 30, 2025 · Senate roll call 223 · needed 1/2

On the Joint Resolution: Joint Resolution Passed 52–46

R 52 yes, 0 no, 1 present or not votingI 0 yes, 2 noD 0 yes, 44 no, 1 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Cosponsors

  • Mike Haridopolos R-FL-8
  • Rep. Doug LaMalfa R-CA-1
  • Laurel M. Lee R-FL-15
  • Mary E. Miller R-IL-15
  • Derek Schmidt R-KS-2
  • Claudia Tenney R-NY-24