The clerk will read the title of the joint resolution for the third time. The joint resolution was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time. Vote on H.J. Res. 75
The Acting President pro tempore··Senate
H.J.Res. 75: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers".
Introduced Mar 10, 202513 cosponsors
Sponsor
Craig Goldman
Republican · TX-12
Bill Progress
IntroducedMar 10
Committee
Pass HouseMar 27
Pass SenateMay 1
SignedMay 9
LawMay 9
Latest Action · May 9, 2025
1/3
Became Public Law No: 119-9.
Congress scrapped tighter efficiency rules for commercial coolers
3 min readLast updated May 29, 2026
Why it matters
This is now law. H.J.Res. 75 wiped out a Department of Energy rule that would have tightened energy-efficiency standards on the commercial refrigerators, freezers, and cooler units that run around the clock in restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores. The standard never takes effect — and because of the fast-track tool Congress used, the agency can't reissue a similar one without new authorization from Congress.
The target here is a single Department of Energy regulation. In January 2025, the agency's energy-efficiency office set new minimum efficiency standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers — the kind of equipment that runs nonstop in food service and retail.
H.J.Res. 75 cancels it. It runs through the Congressional Review Act, a fast-track process that lets Congress overturn a recent agency rule with simple majorities and limited debate. Once both chambers pass the resolution and the President signs it, the rule "shall have no force or effect" — meaning it's erased, not rewritten.
That's exactly what happened. The House passed it 214-193, the Senate 52-45, and it became law on May 9, 2025. The January standard never takes effect.
There's a longer tail, too. Under the Congressional Review Act, an agency generally can't turn around and issue a rule that's substantially the same unless Congress passes a new law authorizing it, so DOE can't simply re-file the same commercial refrigeration standard. Supporters framed the repeal as cutting compliance and redesign costs for equipment makers; opponents argued it locks in less efficient equipment and higher long-run energy use.
H.J.Res. 75 Bill Summary
What H.J.Res. 75 actually does.
1
The January 2025 efficiency standard is canceled
The resolution disapproves the Department of Energy rule that set new energy-conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers, published in January 2025.
2
The rule is erased, not revised
The text states the rule "shall have no force or effect," so the standard is wiped out entirely rather than amended or weakened.
3
It moved through the Congressional Review Act
The resolution uses the fast-track disapproval process Congress reserves for overturning recent federal rules with simple majorities and limited debate.
4
DOE is blocked from reissuing a similar rule
Under the Congressional Review Act, the agency generally can't adopt a substantially similar standard unless Congress passes new legislation authorizing it.
5
Commercial refrigeration makers drop the compliance work
Manufacturers and distributors of covered commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers no longer have to redesign or test products to meet the canceled standard.
Who benefits from H.J.Res. 75?
Manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment
They were facing a redesign-and-retest cycle to hit the new standard. With it gone, that engineering and compliance work comes off their plate.
Restaurants, grocers, and convenience stores buying coolers
Buyers of commercial refrigeration can keep purchasing equipment built to the older standard, which tends to carry a lower sticker price than higher-efficiency models.
The Republicans who pushed the repeal
Sponsor Craig Goldman (R-TX) and 13 Republican cosponsors used the Congressional Review Act to reverse a DOE rule, and the repeal passed both chambers and became law.
Who is affected by H.J.Res. 75?
Businesses paying the energy bills
Commercial refrigeration runs 24/7, so its efficiency drives electricity costs. With the tighter standard canceled, new equipment isn't required to meet the higher-efficiency targets DOE said were cost-justified — which opponents say means higher long-run energy use.
The Department of Energy
The agency loses a finalized standard and, under the Congressional Review Act, can't reissue a substantially similar one without new authorization from Congress.
Energy-efficiency and climate advocates
Groups that backed tighter standards lose a rule DOE framed as achieving the maximum efficiency gains it considered technologically feasible and economically justified.
On the Record
What Congress Said
H.J.Res. 75 was signed into law on May 20, 2025.
Mr. President, I rise today on the 100th day as a U.S. Senator—in fact, Florida's newest U.S. Senator—to urge my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 75, a Congressional Review Act resolution to rescind burdensome energy efficiency requirements on commercial refrigerators and freezers that were imposed by the Biden-Harris administration at the 11th hour just before President Trump's inauguration. The Biden-Harris administration, as we all know, in many of these agenda-driven regulations pushed out of Agencies, was a disaster for American families, businesses, and industries across our Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 75. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle will say this resolution is unnecessary. We have heard that. Let's be clear. What is unnecessary is placing so-called energy standards on commercial refrigerators and freezers, which will only lead to higher equipment costs and additional burdens on small businesses. I come from the small-business community. I have felt that, and, again, that is what we are hearing from our small businesses and why I am standing here today.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my resolution, H.J. Res. 75, which repeals the Biden administration's burdensome energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators and freezers. In the final months, the previous administration prioritized their energy policies over Americans' prosperity and freedom. This unnecessary and costly mandate would burden small businesses, increase red tape, and jeopardize food safety. The Department of Energy estimates implementing this rule would cost Americans $8 billion.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 75. Once again, I join my House colleagues in working to overturn another last-minute, so-called energy efficiency standard from the previous administration. In reality, the Biden administration imposed standards that are nearly impossible for commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturers to meet. According to estimates from the Biden Department of Energy, the final rule will cost approximately $8 billion. This will be borne by those purchasing equipment, many of whom are small businesses.
H.J.Res. 75 also appeared in 4 more Senate floor references and 5 routine cosponsor filings.
HJRES75 Legislative Journey
Signed into Law
May 9, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-9.
+3 more actions this day
Action Taken
May 6, 2025
Presented to President.
Passed 52-45
May 1, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 45. Record Vote Number: 228. (consideration: CR S2726-2727)
+2 more actions this day
Action Taken
Apr 30, 2025
Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2683, S2695-2696)
Sent to Senate
Mar 31, 2025
Received in the Senate, read twice.
House: Passed 214-193
Mar 27, 2025
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 193 (Roll no. 78). (text: 3/26/2024 CR H1284)
+3 more actions this day
House: Vote Held
Mar 26, 2025
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.J. Res. 75, the Chair put the question on passage of the joint resolution and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
House: Committee Action
Mar 24, 2025
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 242 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 24, H.J. Res. 75 and H.R. 1048. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 75 under a closed rule, and provides for consideration of H.R. 1048 under a structured rule. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each measure.
House: Committee Action
Mar 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
About the Sponsor
Craig Goldman
Republican, Texas' 12th congressional district · 1 years in Congress
Committees: Energy and Commerce
View full profile →
Cosponsors at time of passage (13)
All 13 cosponsors are Republicans. Cosponsors represent 10 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and 7 more.
13Republicans·10 states
Neal Dunn
Republican · FL
Gary Palmer
Republican · AL
Erin Houchin
Republican · IN
Troy Balderson
Republican · OH
Dan Newhouse
Republican · WA
Earl Carter
Republican · GA
Michael Lawler
Republican · NY
Mark Messmer
Republican · IN
Riley Moore
Republican · WV
Brandon Gill
Republican · TX
Scott Perry
Republican · PA
Dan Crenshaw
Republican · TX
Committee Sponsors
Energy and Commerce Committee
24D30R
|6 signed48 others6 of 54 committee members cosponsored at the time
H.J.Res. 75 Quick Facts
Cosponsors
13
- Committee
- Energy and Commerce
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Energy
- Introduced
- Mar 10, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-9.
May 9, 2025
Official Sources
H.J. Res. 75 on Congress.gov
The official Congress.gov page tracks the resolution text, actions, sponsors, and final status as Public Law 119-9.
Public Law 119-9 (full text)
The government-published text of the enacted law, signed May 9, 2025, that nullifies the DOE commercial refrigeration standard.
Federal Register: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers
The official Federal Register publication of the DOE rule at 90 FR 7464, published January 21, 2025, that the resolution nullifies.
DOE Appliance and Equipment Standards Program
DOE's standards program page provides official background on federal efficiency standards for covered commercial refrigeration equipment.
DOE Building Technologies Office
The DOE office that conducts the research and rulemaking behind appliance and equipment efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration.
5 U.S.C. Chapter 8 — Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking
The official U.S. Code text of the Congressional Review Act, the fast-track disapproval authority the resolution used to erase the rule.
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H.J.Res. 75 Common Questions
Is the DOE efficiency rule for commercial refrigerators still in effect?
No. H.J.Res. 75 repealed it, and the resolution became law on May 9, 2025. The January 2025 standard for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers never takes effect.
Did H.J.Res. 75 actually become law?
Yes. It passed the House 214-193 and the Senate 52-45, and the President signed it. It's now Public Law 119-9.
What equipment did the canceled rule cover?
Commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers — the high-volume cooling units used in restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses, not the fridge in your kitchen.
Will this raise energy costs?
Indirectly. DOE built the canceled standard to cut commercial refrigeration energy use. Without it, new equipment isn't required to meet those targets — opponents say that means higher long-run bills, while supporters say it avoids higher equipment prices.
Can DOE just issue the same efficiency rule again?
Not easily. Because H.J.Res. 75 ran through the Congressional Review Act, DOE generally can't adopt a substantially similar standard unless Congress passes a new law authorizing it.
Why did Congress repeal the standard?
Supporters argued the DOE rule would force manufacturers into costly redesigns and testing for commercial refrigeration equipment. Opponents argued it would have cut energy use and operating costs over the life of the equipment.
Who sponsored H.J.Res. 75?
Representative Craig Goldman (R-TX) introduced it, with 13 Republican cosponsors. Both chamber votes fell close to party lines.
Based on H.J.Res. 75 bill text
H.J.Res. 75 Bill Text
“Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers”.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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