[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 105 (Thursday, June 15, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 OPPOSING H.R. 1615, THE ``GAS STOVE PROTECTION AND FREEDOM ACT'' AND 
                 H.R. 1640, THE ``SAVE OUR STOVES ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2023

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1615, the Gas 
Stove Protection and Freedom Act, and H.R. 1640, the Save Our Stoves 
Act. These bills are the latest Republican attempt to manufacture a 
crisis and reject commonsense rulemaking from the Biden administration. 
These bills are purposefully misleading and reject legitimate concerns 
about the threats gas stoves pose to our personal safety, public 
safety, and the energy efficiency of our homes.
  Since 1972, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has worked 
with manufacturers to protect Americans from unsafe consumer products 
by issuing recalls, developing safety standards, and conducting 
research into product-related illness and injury. The CPSC does not 
have the authority to ban gas stoves, but they are obligated to ensure 
the gas stoves in our homes aren't hazardous for our health. For 
example, in December 2022, CPSC issued a recall on a specific gas stove 
product that was found to pose serious risk of injury or death from 
carbon monoxide poisoning. H.R. 1615 would prohibit CPSC from 
protecting consumers from a similar hazardous problem with gas stoves 
in the future. Why would we limit the CPSC's ability to issue recalls 
on products that will harm our families? Congress should be encouraging 
CPSC to explore all allegations that appliances or other consumer 
products are unsafe to children and adults and should give the CPSC 
more, not fewer, tools for eliminating or mitigating the safety risks 
they uncover.
  Contrary to Republican talking points, the Biden administration is 
not coming to take your gas stove. That is simply untrue. The 
Department of Energy (DOE) does not have the authority to ban gas 
stoves or other appliances based on fuel sources, nor should it have 
the authority. The DOE is mandated by Congress to set energy efficiency 
standards for home appliances. As required, the Department issued new 
energy efficiency standards in February 2023. Nearly half of gas stoves 
on the market are already in compliance with the new DOE energy 
efficiency standard, and the rule gives manufacturers three years to 
comply with the new standard. Yet H.R. 1640 goes further than just 
disapproving the new standard. The bill will also limit future 
rulemaking for energy efficient appliances. Mr. Speaker, why wouldn't 
we want more efficient appliances in the future?
  Mr. Speaker, with these two bills, Republicans are completely 
disregarding legitimate concerns about the nitrogen dioxide emitted by 
gas stoves. Members of Congress should not be fearmongering nor hiding 
data on the health impacts of gas stoves. Americans should have access 
to the most up-to-date information on consumer products so they can 
make purchases that are right for them.
  H.R. 1615 and H.R. 1640 should be rejected.

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