Six Democrats Break Ranks to Help Republicans Overturn Biden Climate Regulations

Democrats Split With Party on Biden Climate Rules

In a significant bipartisan move, six House Democrats crossed party lines on Thursday to support two Republican-led resolutions aimed at reversing climate-related energy regulations implemented during President Biden's administration.

This latest development reveals ongoing tensions between moderate and progressive Democrats, particularly as they contend with unresolved policies from the Biden administration’s ambitious climate agenda—now facing pressure under the renewed direction of the Trump presidency. The White House / Wikimedia

GOP Targets Freezer Rule for Small Businesses

The first resolution, spearheaded by Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), aims to overturn Department of Energy (DOE) rules setting stricter clean energy standards for walk-in freezers and coolers. Bice voiced concern that these rules would hurt small businesses by increasing their financial burdens. "I have fought every step of the way to prevent egregious rules from taking effect. These regulations will impose significant financial burdens on small businesses, which will have to absorb major upgrade costs to meet these new, aggressive standards," Bice told Fox News Digital. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bice Warns of $1 Billion Price Tag

While acknowledging the issue "sounds small," Bice stressed the broader economic consequences, stating: "The impact of this regulation would cost small businesses over a billion dollars while only reducing energy use by 6%." BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Republicans Oppose New Fridge Standards

The second resolution, introduced by Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Texas), targets DOE regulations affecting commercial refrigerators and freezers. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) criticized the Biden administration’s policies, telling Fox News Digital, "House Republicans will not allow the Biden administration’s Green New Scam to burden American businesses and raise consumer prices. We will continue to roll back regulations that rob Americans of choice in the name of a radical climate agenda." Ike Hayman, House Creative Services / Wikimedia

Congress Pushes Back on Biden Climate Agenda

Republicans have increasingly used congressional tools such as joint resolutions of disapproval to challenge executive rulemaking authority. These two resolutions, backed by some Democrats, mark a growing resistance among moderates to progressive climate policies. chayka1270 / Pixabay

These Democrats Backed the GOP Resolutions

All six Democrats—Reps. Don Davis (D-N.C.), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Adam Gray (D-Calif.), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), and Jared Golden (D-Maine)—supported Bice’s resolution. Five of them also voted for Goldman’s, with only Golden withholding support from the second measure. Fry1989 / Wikimedia