WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 4690 · 119th Congress

Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act

Passed HouseEnergy
IntroducedJul 23, 2025
Passed HouseApr 22, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Apr 27, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The House passed it 215–202. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 2 sections of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 4690 would change 2 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Apr 27, 2026).

42 U.S.C. 6834 Federal building energy efficiency standards

42 U.S.C. 17092 High-performance green Federal buildings

  • (h) Identification of certification system added to · Sec. 2(c) · see the words
What the words would change: every change, in place (3)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(D)(i)changedby H.R. 4690 Sec. 2(a)

    The bill says: by striking subclauses (I) and (II); and

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 6834)

  2. 42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(D)(i)(III)addedby H.R. 4690 Sec. 2(a)

    The bill says: in subclause (III), by inserting after the third sentence the following: "The certification system and level may not prohibit a building from obtaining a certification as a green building or high-performance green building solely based on direct or indirect consumption of fossil fuels.".

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 6834)

  3. 42 U.S.C. 17092(h)added (3)by H.R. 4690 Sec. 2(c)

    (3) Prohibition.— The system identified under paragraph (1) may not prohibit a building from obtaining a certification as a green building or high-performance green building solely based on direct or indirect consumption of fossil fuels.

    The bill says: Section 436(h) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17092(h)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 17092)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act

This bill repeals certain energy efficiency performance standards for new federal buildings and federal buildings undergoing major renovations. Specifically, the bill repeals the performance standards that phase out fossil fuel use in such buildings by FY2030.

The bill directs the Department of Energy to implement the standards as though such phase-out requirements had never taken effect until it issues regulations with revised performance standards.

The bill also specifies that certain systems that certify green buildings may not prohibit federal buildings from obtaining a certification as a green building or high-performance green building solely based on direct or indirect consumption of fossil fuels.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Feb 4, 2026).

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. Apr 27, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.Senate
  2. Apr 22, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Apr 22, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 134). (text: CR H3057) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. Apr 22, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 134). (text: CR H3057) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. Apr 22, 2026On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 203 - 214 (Roll no. 133). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  6. Apr 22, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3062-3064)House floor actions
  7. Apr 22, 2026POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 4690, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Sykes demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
  8. Apr 22, 2026The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.House floor actions
  9. Apr 22, 2026Mrs. Sykes moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (CR H3061)House floor actions
  10. Apr 22, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  11. Apr 22, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4690.House floor actions
  12. Apr 22, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.House floor actions
  13. Apr 22, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1189. (consideration: CR H3057-3061)House floor actions
  14. Apr 20, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1189 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.House floor actions
  15. Feb 4, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 413.House floor actions
  16. Feb 4, 2026Committee on Transportation discharged.House floor actions
  17. Feb 4, 2026Committee on Transportation discharged.Library of Congress
  18. Feb 4, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-483, Part I.House floor actions
  19. Feb 4, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-483, Part I.Library of Congress
  20. Dec 3, 2025Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 21.House committee actions
  21. Dec 3, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  22. Nov 19, 2025Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 14.House committee actions
  23. Nov 19, 2025Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  24. Jul 24, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.House committee actions
  25. Jul 23, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.House committee actions
  26. Jul 23, 2025Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.House floor actions
  27. Jul 23, 2025Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.House floor actions
  28. Jul 23, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  29. Jul 23, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Apr 22, 2026 · HousePassed 215–202
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 209 yes, 1 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 5 yes, 201 noEach member · Record
1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
  1. Apr 22, 2026 · HouseFailed 203–214
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson no, Mariannette Miller-Meeks no, Zachary Nunn no
    On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
    R 0 yes, 212 noI 0 yes, 1 noD 203 yes, 1 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Troy Balderson R-OH-12
  • Julie Fedorchak R-ND-At Large
  • Craig A. Goldman R-TX-12
  • Pat Harrigan R-NC-10
  • Diana Harshbarger R-TN-1
  • Richard Hudson R-NC-9
  • Michael A. Rulli R-OH-6