House Republicans are taking up legislation this week aimed at preventing bans of gas stoves, with the conference set to consider two bills: one that would prohibit the use of federal funds to ban stoves, and another that calls for blocking an Energy Department rule that institutes energy conservation standards for some consumer products, which Republicans claim would remove some gas stoves from stores. The first piece of legislation, titled the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, calls for prohibiting the use of federal funds to ban gas stoves. The second bill, dubbed the Save Our Gas Stoves Act, takes aim at an Energy Department rule that “prescribed energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including consumer conventional cooking products.” The legislation seeks to bar the Energy secretary from finalizing, implementing or enforcing the proposed rule. It also calls for blocking the Energy secretary from implementing an energy conservation standard that would lead to a ban of a kitchen range or stove based on the kind of fuel it uses.
The House this week is also slated to consider the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which would bolster Congress’s authority over the federal rulemaking process and is meant to “increase accountability for and transparency in the Federal regulatory process.” The bill specifically seeks to require that “major rules” — including those that cause a major increase in prices or have an annual effect on the economy that is equal to $100 million or more — are approved by Congress before they can take effect.
On the Senate side, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) is eyeing legislation related to competition with China, artificial intelligence, lowering the cost of prescription drugs and rail safety, in addition to a number of judicial nominations.
For today, the House met at 2:00 P.M. for legislative business and is expected to consider seven bills under suspension of the Rules from the Financial Services Committee, including H.R. 2610 – To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to specify certain registration statement contents for emerging growth companies, to permit issuers to file draft registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential review.
The Senate stands adjourned until 3:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 6th when it will resume consideration of the nomination of David Crane to be Under Secretary of Energy.
