Refrigerator Freedom Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from South Carolina for yielding me time.

As I am listening to this debate, it is astounding to hear about the $17 a year that I may save so that I can perhaps stop at the local convenience store to get a coffee once a month when the reason why prices are high right now is the Biden-Harris administration and the last Congress have made prices higher. Inflation is over 20 percent.

First, it was tackling America's energy independence and restricting consumer choice. They started imposing draconian rules such as the tailpipe emission rule, not leasing for oil and gas drilling on Federal lands or public lands, and forcing automakers to have less efficient vehicles that Americans do not want and even vehicles that can't hold a charge in the winter such as in a State like Iowa.

Prices are up everywhere in the United States. Energy prices are up. They are up at the gas pump. Electricity prices are up. That relates to food prices, which are also up.

At a time when record-high inflation and gas prices are hurting families, the Biden-Harris administration again pushes policies that restrict imports of liquefied natural gas that would have provided a much-needed boost to the economy and helped our allies around the world.

Now, because of dismantling American energy production, undermining our national security, and restricting what cars people can drive wasn't enough, this administration has decided to dictate what home appliances Americans can have in their homes.

When I go to look for an appliance, I look at the little sticker, and I determine if saving $12 a month or $30 a month is worth the increased cost for an appliance that doesn't have the life of the refrigerator or the appliance that I have now. In addition, are any efficiencies based on the energy prices that we are now paying? The Biden-Harris administration has increased energy prices across the board, and they will continue to increase them because of their ill-founded policies that are benefiting their allies as well, their special interest groups.

On January 17, the Biden-Harris administration issued a final rule to regulate refrigerators and freezers. It is interesting that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have said this is already in the rule. Why on Earth would you be here arguing about a bill if it is already implemented in a rule, if the agency is already following it?

We want to codify what it is that they are doing. If it truly is feasible, if it is economically justified, if it is technologically feasible, and if it helps to lower emissions and lead to a better environment, they already have the authority to do that. Why would you oppose codifying it into law if the agency is already doing it?

The reality is they are not doing it. Their practices are egregious and overreaching, and they want to force themselves into every aspect of our lives and dictate.

It is interesting. I thought about this as I was sitting here listening to this debate. One of the things that would help the energy efficiency of refrigerators is not to open and close the door so much. Maybe the EPA and the DOE should issue a rule mandating how often you-- oh, I better not say that because they may, in fact, do it.

The Department of Energy argues that these energy mandates will save consumers money, but according to DOE's own supporting documentation, the payback period could take over 10 years.

Refrigerator and freezer appliances have an average 14- to 15-year lifespan, and those numbers are drawn from existing appliances, not hypothetical future appliances that meet the Department's new standards.

Further, any cost savings realized to consumers over time are likely to be offset, as we have already said, by rising electric bills that are facing households across the country.

This rule marks another way of manipulating the market to push an environmental agenda and eliminate consumer choice. My bill, the Refrigerator Freedom Act, prohibits the Department of Energy from enforcing unrealistic energy standards for refrigerators that are not energy efficient.

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Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, which I enthusiastically support.

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