Sets the rules for House consideration of resolutions disapproving certain Department of Energy rules on energy conservation standards and a bill amending the Higher Education Act to strengthen disclosure requirements for foreign gifts and contracts.
Virginia Foxx
Representative
NC-5
This resolution sets the rules for the House of Representatives to consider disapproving two Department of Energy rules related to energy conservation standards for coolers/freezers and commercial refrigeration appliances. It also outlines the process for considering a bill that amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to strengthen disclosure requirements regarding foreign gifts and contracts to higher education institutions, and to prohibit contracts with certain foreign entities. The resolution establishes debate time limits, amendment procedures, and waives certain points of order to expedite the consideration of these measures.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 218 | 214 | 0 | 4 |
Democrat | 213 | 0 | 207 | 6 |
House Sets Debate Rules for Energy Standards Rollback and University Foreign Funding Bill
This resolution isn't a new law itself, but think of it as setting the specific ground rules for how the House of Representatives will debate and vote on three separate items: two challenges to Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency standards and one bill aimed at foreign money in higher education.
Specifically, it lays out the procedure for considering H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 75. These are 'resolutions of disapproval' targeting recent DOE rules for walk-in coolers/freezers and commercial refrigeration units, respectively. Under the rules set by this resolution, debate on each disapproval measure is capped at just one hour, and standard procedural objections ('points of order') are waived. This essentially creates a fast lane for the House to vote on whether to overturn these energy efficiency regulations.
Cooler Rules and University Cash: What's Being Debated?
The first part deals with those DOE energy standards. If the disapproval resolutions (H.J. Res. 24 & 75) eventually pass Congress and get signed, it would block the new efficiency requirements for equipment often used by grocery stores, restaurants, and warehouses. The procedural rules here mean a quicker up-or-down vote in the House on whether to keep or scrap these standards.
The second part sets the stage for considering H.R. 1048, a bill focused on universities. This legislation aims to tighten rules around reporting foreign gifts and contracts and potentially ban agreements with entities from certain 'countries of concern'. The resolution dictates a one-hour general debate, followed by a structured amendment process based on a pre-set text (Rules Committee Print 119-1). It also waives points of order against the bill and limits which additional amendments can even be offered.
Why These Rules Matter
Setting procedural rules like this shapes how legislation is handled. Waiving 'points of order' removes potential roadblocks that could slow down or stop consideration based on procedural technicalities. Limiting debate time and restricting amendments streamlines the process, but it also reduces the opportunity for extensive discussion or changes on the House floor. For the energy standards, it means a swift decision point. For the higher education bill, it means the debate will follow a tightly controlled path defined by the Rules Committee, potentially limiting the scope of changes Representatives can propose during floor consideration. These rules determine the how, which significantly influences the what when it comes to final decisions on these energy and education policies.