Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted By the Department of Energy Relating to ``Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers''

Floor Speech

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Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 24, legislation led by my friend Representative Stephanie Bice. This reverses yet another burdensome Biden administration mandate that will add senseless costs for families and small businesses for no real benefit.

The Biden Department of Energy's rule on walk-in refrigerator equipment is a textbook example of government overreach. This rule imposes sweeping, unrealistic energy standards that demand massive energy reductions, but this isn't just about energy policy. It is about the reality facing restaurant owners, grocery stores, and convenience stores in North Dakota and across the country.

These businesses have battled through 4 years of inflation, supply chain disruptions, and workforce challenges. Washington bureaucrats are now telling them to replace perfectly good refrigeration equipment at a nationwide cost of nearly $1 billion just to meet an arbitrary, one- size-fits-all efficiency target.

To comply with these standards, manufacturers will have to increase prices on already expensive equipment. These costs will land squarely on the businesses and, ultimately, the American people. Mr. Speaker, 90 percent of the food and drink retailers impacted by this rule are small businesses. These are businesses that are critical to the U.S. economy, employing millions of Americans and contributing more than $200 billion annually.

This rule is not economically justified. It is Washington at its worst. It is no wonder that before President Trump took office, 75 percent of the country thought that we were headed in the wrong direction. It is rules just like this that they know about.

This is a bad rule. It is bad for business, and it is bad for customers. Let's stop this misguided regulation before it does more real damage to the small businesses that drive our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to put common sense over bureaucratic overreach and support H.J. Res. 24.

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