House passes bill to protect gas stoves from federal ban.

Republican Bill Passes House with Bipartisan Support to Protect Gas Stoves

The Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, a bill supported by both Republicans and Democrats, passed the House this week. It aims to prevent the Biden administration from banning gas stoves. While the bill received bipartisan support in the House, it is unlikely to be voted on in the Democratic-led Senate. Nevertheless, Republicans are celebrating this as a victory against President Joe Biden’s anti-fossil fuel agenda. The bill passed with a vote of 248-180, with 29 Democrats joining the GOP.

“We know the motivation of the CPSC and throughout this entire administration is a green climate push,” said Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R., N.D.), who sponsored the legislation. “The goal is to dictate how you live every aspect of your life—how you save and invest for the future by pushing ESG, how you drive by banning gas-powered cars, and now the goal is to control how you cook.”

The passing of this bill comes after months of the Biden administration expressing support for gas stove bans and considering a federal measure. The administration argued this week that a gas stove ban in Berkeley, Calif., does not violate federal law. However, a federal judge struck down the ban earlier this year, citing federal law that prohibits restrictions on natural gas appliances.

In early May, eleven Democratic attorneys general urged the federal government to regulate gas stoves, citing health risks associated with their emissions. They called for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to develop uniform standards and increase consumer awareness of these risks.

The controversy surrounding gas stoves gained attention in January when reports surfaced about the Biden administration’s plans for strict regulations. The media largely mocked conservatives who expressed concern over these reports, with headlines like “How Gas Stoves Became the Latest Right-Wing Cause in the Culture Wars.” However, the Biden administration later admitted that their proposed regulations would effectively ban the sale of half of all gas stoves in the U.S. market.

Last month, the New York legislature passed a law prohibiting gas stoves in new buildings. Democratic governor Kathy Hochul defended the measure, emphasizing the need for transition. In April, climate activists urged the Biden administration to stop using the term “natural gas” and instead use terms like “fossil gas” or “methane gas.”