U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) declared victory Thursday after the Senate passed his bill that reverses a ban on natural gas powered water heaters
Former President Joe Biden’s Department of Energy announced a new rule banning non-condensing, natural gas-fired water heaters by 2029. The administration is argued that it was needed to help cut down on fossil fuel emissions and combat climate change.
Palmer’s resolution uses Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows Congress to overturn rules enacted by federal agencies.
“I applaud the Senate on passing this legislation to protect not only gas water heaters, but consumers,” Palmer said.
“For four years, the Biden-Harris administration waged war on our home appliances. When their reign was coming to an end, they attempted to implement senseless and overreaching regulations at the last minute that would increase costs for the American people. With a unified Republican government, we must reduce costs by reversing these regulations. Today, the Senate did just that. I look forward to seeing this legislation cross the finish line and get signed by President Trump soon.”
The Senate just passed my legislation with @SenTedCruz to block the Biden-Harris administration’s last-minute attempt to ban certain natural gas water heaters.
This is a major step towards reversing senseless regulations and reducing costs for the American people! https://t.co/Fuxn311R7t
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) April 10, 2025
U.S. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sponsored identical legislation in the Senate, which passed by a vote of 53 – 44.
“Their rule would have forced Americans to either pay hundreds of dollars more for efficient water heaters or purchase less efficient models,” Cruz said.
The Senate just passed my CRA to reverse a Biden-era rule that increased costs on Americans.
Their rule would have forced Americans to either pay hundreds of dollars more for efficient water heaters or purchase less efficient models. @RuthlessPodcast heard it first:… pic.twitter.com/RinNYudW7u
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) April 10, 2025
Rep. Palmer’s legislation passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 221 – 198 – 2 in February.
