WASHINGTON (AP) — Venturing back into the nation’s culture wars, the Republican-controlled House has approved legislation that GOP lawmakers say would protect gas stoves from overzealous government regulators.
A bill passed Tuesday would prohibit use of federal money to regulate gas stoves as a hazardous product, while a separate measure endorsed on Wednesday would block an Energy Department rule setting stricter energy efficiency standards for stovetops and ovens.
The White House said the administration “has been clear that it does not support any attempt to ban the use of gas stoves,” but GOP lawmakers say rules on gas stoves represent classic government overreach.
“It’s not a petty concern to the hard-working Americans who will be impacted,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. “The last thing they need is to have the Biden administration’s Green New Deal regulatory assault reach their kitchen appliances.”
Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey called the bills a political stunt. “House Republicans are once again putting polluters over people,” he said.