In 1975, Congress established the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to increase American energy production, encourage efficient energy use, reduce demand, and bolster national energy security. Under the EPCA, the Department of Energy (DOE) sets efficiency standards for 60 product categories – but these standards must be cost-effective, significantly save energy, and be technologically feasible. 

Unfortunately, President Biden’s DOE has consistently abused their authority to push a radical energy agenda on American families and consumers, attempting to implement conservation standards that aren’t economically justifiable or significantly more energy efficient. These overreaching rules would take away consumer choice and burden American families struggling to get by, raising costs and forcing Americans to use appliances that do not perform as well. 

Additionally, the Biden DOE’s proposed standards aim to shut down the use of natural gas and force electric appliances on the American people, regardless of cost, performance, or availability – putting their radical Green New Deal agenda before the needs of hardworking Americans. 

While the Biden Administration fights to impose a stream of new burdensome regulations for a multitude of vital home appliances including residential washing machines, House Republicans work to protect consumer choice and keep government agencies out of your home.

Let’s be clear: President Biden and Washington bureaucrats' war on everyday household appliances only hurts American families and small businesses. You should be able to decide what washing machine is best for you and your family – not be forced to let the government decide for you.

H.R. 7673, the Liberty in Laundry Act, introduced by Rep. Andy Ogles, prevents the Secretary of Energy and the DOE from implementing new or amended energy efficiency standards for clothes washers that are not technologically feasible and economically justified.

House Republicans will continue working to protect consumer choice from government overreach and ensure families and hardworking Americans can keep their preferred appliances in their homes.