GOP-Led Congress Deals Fatal Blow To Biden’s War On Refrigerators

House Republicans last week paved the way to overturn a Biden-era Department of Energy (DOE) rule regulating walk-in coolers and freezers, and on Thursday the Senate also voted to end the regulation.

Republican Oklahoma Rep. Stephanie Bice introduced H.J. Res. 24 in January, advocating to repeal a Biden-era rule titled, “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers.” Senate Republicans approved the resolution with a 53-42 vote along party lines after it passed the House on March 27, pushing it to President Donald Trump’s desk for approval.

DOE officials said they wanted to impose newer energy conservation standards. The Washington, D.C.-based Competitive Enterprise Institute said in a statement, however, that these regulations “would have harmed many small businesses and raised food costs on consumers.”

“Walk-in coolers and freezers are essential for pharmacies, convenience stores, food processing facilities, food banks, restaurants, and many other establishments nationwide,” Bice said after her legislation passed the House. “We must continue to push back against federal overreach, and I appreciate the support of my colleagues on this critical measure.”