U.S. News
Kamala Harris Thanksgiving post prompts criticism after proposed stove ban
By Jake Beardslee · November 24, 2023
In brief…
- The administration cited health concerns in potentially prohibiting new gas stove sales
- Dozens of Congressional Democrats joined Republicans in blocking strict new efficiency rules
- Roughly 40 million U.S. households use natural gas stoves, with supporters touting benefits
Vice President Kamala Harris recently posted a Thanksgiving photo with her husband on X, which showed them posing by a gas stove.
This prompted criticism from some conservatives on social media, who pointed out that the Biden administration had previously proposed banning new gas stoves over health concerns.
As Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) responded on the post, “Is that a gas stove?” Similarly, former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and activist Laura Loomer called attention to the stove’s fuel source.
Earlier this year, the Biden administration signaled interest in prohibiting new gas stoves. As reported by Bloomberg, “U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s top leader, Richard Trumka Jr., told Bloomberg ‘a ban on gas stoves is on the table’ over health concerns.” Trumka suggested that “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”
He later clarified that a ban would only apply to new stoves rather than existing ones. However, this was followed by a proposed Department of Energy regulation imposing stricter efficiency rules that most gas stoves currently on the market could not meet.
In March, a bipartisan House majority including dozens of Democrats voted to prevent the Department of Energy from implementing the proposed new standards.