Fedorchak votes to block Biden administration’s overreach on water heaters

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) today voted in support of H.J. Res. 20, a measure to overturn the Department of Energy’s (DOE) burdensome regulations on gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. The Biden administration’s rule, finalized in the administration’s final months, would impose mandates that reduce consumer choice and increase costs for North Dakota families. 

"This regulation is out of touch with both the realities of the marketplace and the household budgets of most American families,” Fedorchak said. “Forcing North Dakotans to replace their water heaters to conform to this regulation is government overreach at its worst.” 

The Department of Energy’s rule would set unrealistic energy efficiency standards that make many existing water heaters obsolete, forcing consumers to purchase more expensive models with limited availability—especially in rural areas. While the DOE estimated that the rule would add $231 to the cost of the new model, industry leaders estimate a cost increase of at least $450-$665 per unit. 

H.J. Res. 20 was passed under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows Congress to reject federal agency regulations that overstep their authority. Currently, the CRA requires Congress pass a separate joint resolution for each rule it needs to disapprove—slowing Congress’ ability to inhibit burdensome agency regulations and keep the administrative state accountable. Earlier this month, the House passed H.R. 77, the Midnight Rules Act, to overturn multiple last-minute regulations issued by an outgoing administration in a single vote.   

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