Floor SpeechUrgent2024-12-11

LIBERTY IN LAUNDRY ACT

EnvironmentAgriculture

Context

On 2024-12-11, Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN-4) delivered a floor speech titled "LIBERTY IN LAUNDRY ACT" in the House. The speech addressed the environment and also covered agriculture. It referenced legislation including HR7673, HR7637.

Full Text

LIBERTY IN LAUNDRY ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1260-E1261] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] LIBERTY IN LAUNDRY ACT ______ speech of HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 7673, the Liberty in Laundry Act. This bill is the latest Republican attempt to manufacture a crisis and reject commonsense rulemaking from the Department of Energy. Mr. Speaker, why would we want less efficient washers and dryers? Americans want home appliances that are going to save them money on their energy and water bills. I learned this lesson well when I worked at Sears selling home appliances. The customers who I helped buy a new appliance would ask me about the energy efficiency of the new appliance they were considering and how it compared to the one they had at home. That is why I support the commonsense energy efficiency standards set by the Department of Energy. The Biden administrations' past and planned energy efficiency actions are estimated to save Americans $1 trillion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2.5 billion metric tons over the next thirty years. This bill would tie the hands of the Department of Energy (DOE) as they finalize and enforce efficiency standards for laundry machines. Contrary to the fearmongering of the Republican House majority, the Biden Administration did not create these rules to take away your home appliances. Congress mandates that DOE sets efficiency standards for appliances. The proposed rules would update twelve years old energy efficiency standard. The new standards were part of a consensus recommendation made by appliance manufacturers and efficiency advocates. H.R. 7673 [[Page E1261]] would prohibit DOE from finalizing these new standards. With only six legislative days to go until temporary funding expires for the federal government, the House Republican majority has thus far failed to complete a spending package for Fiscal Year 2025. They also failed to act on the Farm Bill, which is now 14 months overdue. Yet, this week, the Republicans are wasting precious time considering a bill to ban energy efficiency standards for laundry machines. This is a disappointing, yet unsurprising, end to what has been a historically unproductive Congress. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7637 should be rejected. I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR7637, HR7673

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LIBERTY IN LAUNDRY ACT Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1260-E1261] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] LIBERTY IN LAUNDRY ACT ______ speech of HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 7673, the Liberty in Laundry Act. This bill is the latest Republican attempt to manufacture a crisis and reject commonsense rulemaking from the Department of Energy. Mr. Speaker, why would we want less efficient washers and dryers? Americans want home appliances that are going to save them money on their energy and water bills. I learned this lesson well when I worked at Sears selling home appliances. The customers who I helped buy a new appliance would ask me about the energy efficiency of the new appliance they were considering and how it compared to the one they had at home. That is why I support the commonsense energy efficiency standards set by the Department of Energy. The Biden administrations' past and planned energy efficiency actions are estimated to save Americans $1 trillion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2.5 billion metric tons over the next thirty years. This bill would tie the hands of the Department of Energy (DOE) as they finalize and enforce efficiency standards for laundry machines. Contrary to the fearmongering of the Republican House majority, the Biden Administration did not create these rules to take away your home appliances. Congress mandates that DOE sets efficiency standards for appliances. The proposed rules would update twelve years old energy efficiency standard. The new standards were part of a consensus recommendation made by appliance manufacturers and efficiency advocates. H.R. 7673 [[Page E1261]] would prohibit DOE from finalizing these new standards. With only six legislative days to go until temporary funding expires for the federal government, the House Republican majority has thus far failed to complete a spending package for Fiscal Year 2025. They also failed to act on the Farm Bill, which is now 14 months overdue. Yet, this week, the Republicans are wasting precious time considering a bill to ban energy efficiency standards for laundry machines. This is a disappointing, yet unsurprising, end to what has been a historically unproductive Congress. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7637 should be rejected. I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR7637, HR7673