119-HR-4690 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

A Republican-led bill to undo federal building energy-efficiency rules—especially the planned phaseout of on‑site fossil fuels in new or substantially renovated federal buildings—cleared a key House committee and now awaits potential floor action. [1]U.S. Department of Energy — U.S. Department of Energy Announces Final Rule to P…[2]House Energy & Commerce Committee — E&C Advances Fifteen Bills to the Full Hous…

What It Does

The Reliable Federal infrastructure Act (H.R. 4690) repeals the “revised Federal building energy efficiency performance standards” in 42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(D) and nullifies those standards as if they had never taken effect. The bill also makes conforming changes to related provisions in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. In practical terms, supporters intend it to stop or reverse implementation of a 2024 Department of Energy rule that phases out on‑site fossil fuel use in new or majorly renovated federal buildings by 2030. [3]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.4690 — Reliable Federal infrastructure Act (119th Con…[1]U.S. Department of Energy — U.S. Department of Energy Announces Final Rule to P…

Why people are watching: DOE projected that the 2024 rule would cut federal-building emissions over time; repealing the standards would remove that requirement. [1]U.S. Department of Energy — U.S. Department of Energy Announces Final Rule to P…

What the current rule aimed to deliver (for context)

These targets and estimates come from DOE’s 2024 final rule implementing EISA Section 433 for federal buildings. [1]U.S. Department of Energy — U.S. Department of Energy Announces Final Rule to P…

Who’s For It

• Sponsor: Rep. Nicholas Langworthy (R‑NY) and several Republican cosponsors; Energy & Commerce Committee Republicans advanced the bill 27–21 on December 3, 2025. [3]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.4690 — Reliable Federal infrastructure Act (119th Con…[2]House Energy & Commerce Committee — E&C Advances Fifteen Bills to the Full Hous…
• American Gas Association backs the bill, saying it preserves reliability and affordability by allowing continued use of natural gas in federal facilities. [4]American Gas Association — AGA applauds Congressman Langworthy introduction of…
• Committee advocates argue that current standards and certification systems discourage natural gas even when they view it as more reliable or cost‑effective in some cases. [5]House Energy & Commerce Committee — Energy & Commerce Committee news page with…

Who’s Against It

• House Energy & Commerce Committee Democrats criticize the bill as undermining federal building efficiency, wasting taxpayer funds, and increasing energy use and costs. [6]U.S. House Committee Repository — Opening Statement of Ranking Member Frank Pal…
• Democratic members also contend that efficiency standards and programs lower bills and help meet rising power demand, arguing repeal moves in the opposite direction. [7]U.S. House Committee Repository — Opening Statement of Ranking Member Kathy Cas…
• Supporters of the 2024 DOE rule note DOE’s own analysis projected emissions and potential infrastructure‑cost benefits from phasing out on‑site fossil fuels in new federal projects. [1]U.S. Department of Energy — U.S. Department of Energy Announces Final Rule to P…

What’s Next

On December 3, 2025, the House Energy & Commerce Committee ordered H.R. 4690 reported by a 27–21 vote, sending it to the full House; the bill also remains referred to the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which previously sent it to its subcommittee on July 24, 2025. Next step: potential House floor consideration. [2]House Energy & Commerce Committee — E&C Advances Fifteen Bills to the Full Hous…[8]Congress.gov — All Actions - H.R.4690 — Reliable Federal infrastructure Act (11…