A pair of bills that safeguard the freedoms of Americans to buy and use gas cooking stoves failed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Rep. Mary Peltola voted against it, as did every Democrat.
The bills ended up failing not because of Peltola and the Democrats, but because the Republican Freedom Caucus, still mad at Speaker Kevin McCarthy over the negotiation of the bill that lifted the nation’s debt limit, didn’t want to give McCarthy a win on anything. The Freedom Caucus was flexing its muscles at McCarthy and House leadership.
The bills would prevent future restrictions and energy conservation standards on these appliances, which are popular with many Americans who love to cook at home. The legislation sought to counteract the increasing number of state and local governments imposing bans on gas-fueled stoves, furnaces, and water heaters in new buildings to combat climate change.
Proponents argue that over one-third of American households rely on gas stoves for cooking, and they accuse the Biden administration of pursuing regulations that could impede citizens’ freedom to choose their preferred cooking methods.
“The White House wants to limit your ability to purchase and use gas stoves,” said House Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole on Monday. Many other lawmakers view the potential regulations, led by cities such as Berkeley, Calif., as unnecessary government overreach.
Democrats emphasize the importance of reducing carbon emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels, including natural gas.
The procedural vote on H.R. 1615, the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act; and providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 1640, Save Our Stoves Act, failed 206 to 220, shocking many in the Capitol because the freedom to buy and use gas stoves hits home for so many Americans.
Members of the House Freedom Caucus held a press conference after the vote to continue their criticism of McCarthy and the House Republican leadership.
