HRES 242119th CongressIntroduced

Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 24) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, 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"; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 75) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers"; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1048) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to strengthen disclosure requirements relating to foreign gifts and contracts, to prohibit contracts between institutions of higher education and certain foreign entities and countries of concern, and for other purposes.

Introduced: Mar 24, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This House Republican Rule (H. Res. 242) establishes procedures to fast-track three related measures in the 119th Congress. First, it schedules floor consideration for H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 75, which are joint resolutions disapproving two Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation rules under the Congressional Review Act (CRA): one for Walk-In Cooler/Freezer standards and one for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers standards. Second, it authorizes moving into a special Committee of the Whole to consider H.R. 1048, a higher education bill that would tighten disclosure of foreign gifts and contracts and prohibit certain contracts with foreign entities or “countries of concern.” The resolution sets debate time, amendment rules, and order of consideration intended to expedite passage (or blocking) of these measures. In short, the resolution is a procedural mechanism to quicken consideration of two DOE disapproval resolutions and to set up a streamlined path for H.R. 1048 on higher-education foreign influence safeguards.

Key Points

1Expedited consideration of H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 75:
2- The rule makes it in order for the House to consider these two joint resolutions disapproving DOE energy-conservation rules under the Congressional Review Act.
3- Points of order against consideration of these resolutions are waived.
4- Each joint resolution is to be considered as read, with limited debate (one hour total, split between the chair and ranking member or their designees) and one motion to recommit allowed.
5Procedural path for H.R. 1048:
6- After adoption of the rule, the Speaker may move the House to the Committee of the Whole for consideration of H.R. 1048 (Higher Education Act amendments).
7- The bill’s first reading is dispensed with; general debate is limited to one hour, and then amendments proceed under a five-minute rule.
8- An amendment in the nature of a substitute (Rules Committee Print 119-1) is considered adopted in place of the committee-passed substitute; the bill, as amended, becomes the base for further amendment under the five-minute rule.
9- Further amendments follow a printed order in the Rules report and may only be offered by designated Members; they are read, debated for the specified time, and not subject to further amendment or division requests.
10- The bill, once amended, is reported back to the House with adopted amendments; the rule prescribes that the “previous question” is ordered to final passage on the bill as amended, with a single recommittal motion allowed.
11Amendment/flow constraints:
12- Only amendments listed in the accompanying Rules Committee report may be offered beyond the substitute.
13- Debate and amendment times are tightly controlled and designed to move quickly.
14Scope of subjects covered:
15- H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 75: congressional disapproval of specific DOE energy-conservation standards.
16- H.R. 1048: strengthens disclosure requirements for foreign gifts and contracts in higher education and restricts contracts with certain foreign entities/countries of concern.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- House of Representatives procedures and energy policy: The rules facilitate rapid consideration and potential enactment or blocking of DOE energy-efficiency standards, specifically for walk-in coolers/freezers and for commercial refrigerators/freezers.- Higher education sector: The process set for H.R. 1048 targets universities and colleges by potentially increasing compliance burdens and restricting funding/partnerships with certain foreign entities or countries of concern.Secondary group/area affected- Industry and businesses relying on DOE standards: Manufacturers, retailers, and food-service establishments that would be impacted by updated energy-conservation requirements may face uncertainty or changes depending on whether the disapproval resolutions are enacted.- Universities and research institutions with foreign funding/partnerships: Could face tighter scrutiny and potential limitations on foreign gifts/contracts, affecting funding, collaboration, and international partnerships.Additional impacts- Regulatory process and oversight: The resolution demonstrates a legislative preference for expedited consideration of disapproval of specific federal rules and for tightening controls on foreign influence in higher education.- Federal-state dynamics: As these are House rules, the outcome depends on Senate action and the President’s stance; success of the disapproval resolutions or the H.R. 1048 path would influence DOE regulatory outcomes and higher-education governance.

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