The Constituency

H.Res. 161 · Congress

Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 20) 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 Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters’’; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 35) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ‘‘Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions’’; and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

Introduced Feb 25, 2025 · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

What does this mean?

This is a procedural "rule" that sets up House votes on three separate items, rather than deciding any of them itself. First, it teed up a vote on canceling a Department of Energy regulation that would have required gas-powered tankless water heaters (the kind that heat water on demand instead of using a storage tank) to meet stricter energy-efficiency standards. Second, it teed up a vote on canceling an Environmental Protection Agency rule that laid out how oil and gas companies could reduce or avoid a fee they owe for excess methane leaks from their equipment. Third, it set up debate on a broader budget plan for the federal government covering 2025 through 2034, which lays out overall spending and revenue targets but doesn't by itself change any specific law or tax.

Read the official CRS summary on Congress.gov →

Bill Lifecycle

Real action history from Congress.gov — where this bill is in the process, and every recorded step along the way.

Passed House

Feb 25, 2025

Full action history (11)

Feb 25, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Feb 25, 2025On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 217 - 211 (Roll no. 47). (text: CR H781)

Feb 25, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 217 - 211 (Roll no. 47). (text: CR H781)

Feb 25, 2025On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 210 (Roll no. 46).

Feb 25, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H790-791)

Feb 25, 2025POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 161, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.