2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Unlocking Our Domestic LNG
Potential Act Of 2023. In October 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the previous
question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule
(H Res 756) that [... ] would provide that H Res 699 would be
automatically laid on the table. The resolution would provide for floor
consideration of [...] a measure concerning natural gas export-import
(HR 1130)." [House Vote 517,
10/3/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 10/3/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
756]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Unlocking Our Domestic LNG
Potential Act Of 2023. In October 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the previous
question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule
(H Res 756) that [... ] would provide that H Res 699 would be
automatically laid on the table. The resolution would provide for floor
consideration of [...] a measure concerning natural gas export-import
(HR 1130)." [House Vote 516,
10/3/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 10/3/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
756]
2025: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prohibit A Moratorium On Fracking Without
Congressional Authorization. In February 2025, Fitzpatrick voted for ,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would prohibit the
president from imposing a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing,
unless such a moratorium were to be authorized by Congress. It would
also express a sense of Congress that the states should maintain primacy
for the regulation of oil and natural gas production on state and
private lands." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote of 226 to 188. [House Vote 35,
2/7/25; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/7/25; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
26]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting The Implementation Of An
April 2021 Delaware River Basin Commission Rule Regarding Fracking. In
July 2024, Fitzpatrick voted against , according to Congressional
Quarterly, "amendment no. 42 that would prohibit the use of funds
provided by the bill to implement or enforce an April 2021 Delaware
River Basin Commission final rule with respect to hydraulic fracturing."
The vote was on the amendment. The underlying legislation was the FY
2025 Energy-Water appropriations. The House adopted the amendment by a
vote of 195 to 210. [House Vote 364,
7/23/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/23/24;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.1104;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8997]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prohibit The President From Issuing A
Moratorium On Hydraulic Fracturing. In March 2024, Fitzpatrick voted
for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill (HR 1121) that
would prohibit the president from issuing a moratorium on the use of
hydraulic fracturing unless such a moratorium is authorized by an act of
Congress." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote
of 229 to 188. [House Vote 93,
3/20/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/20/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1121]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting The President From
Declaring A Moratorium On Fracking And From Taking Actions That Would
Delay New Leases, Sales And Drilling Permits For Oil And Gas, Coal Or
Mineral Exploration. In March 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the Lower Energy Costs Act, which
would "prohibit the president from declaring a moratorium on the use of
hydraulic fracturing and from taking any action that would delay new
leases, sales and drill permits for oil and gas, coal or mineral
exploration." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote of 225 to 204, thus the bill was sent to the Senate for their
consideration. [House Vote 182,
3/30/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/30/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
The Bill Would Require The Interior Department To Continue
Quarterly Lease Sales Of Oil And Gas, End A Moratorium On Coal
Leasing In Federal Lands, And Bar The President From Banning
Fracking. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The legislation
passed Thursday requires the Interior Department to complete
quarterly lease sales of oil and gas, lift a moratorium on coal
leasing on federal land and prohibit the president from declaring a
national ban on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking." [Congressional
Quarterly, 3/30/23]
The Bill Passed After The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate
Change Urged Action To Swiftly Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions And
End Burning Fossil Fuels To Prevent Catastrophic Climate Change.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "Passage comes a little more
than a week after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the
world's leading body of climate scientists, warned humanity must
work swiftly to slash greenhouse gas emissions and stop burning
fossil fuels to avert catastrophic rapid climate change."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/30/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Bar The
Susquehanna, Delaware And Potomac River Basin Commissions From
Implementing Their Own Fracking Regulations Instead Of Following State
Fracking Laws. In March 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the Lower Energy Costs Act,
which would "prohibit the Susquehanna, Delaware and Potomac river basin
commissions from finalizing, implementing or enforcing any regulation
relating to hydraulic fracturing issued pursuant to any authority other
than that of the state where the regulation would be implemented or
enforced." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House
rejected the amendment by a vote of 210 to 223. [House Vote 172,
3/29/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/29/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
143]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The FY 2018 Republican Study Committee
Budget Resolution Which In Part Called For Preventing The Government
From Issuing Fracking Regulations In A State That Already Had Them. In
October 2017, Fitzpatrick voted against a budget resolution that would
in part, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide for $2.9
trillion in new budget authority in fiscal 2018. It would balance the
budget by fiscal 2023 by reducing spending by $10.1 trillion over 10
years. It would cap total discretionary spending at $1.06 trillion for
fiscal 2018 and would assume no separate Overseas Contingency Operations
funding for fiscal 2018 or subsequent years and would incorporate
funding related to war or terror into the base defense account. It would
assume repeal of the 2010 health care overhaul and would convert
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program into a single block
grant program. It would require that off budget programs, such as Social
Security, the U.S. Postal Service, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, be
included in the budget." The underlying legislation was an FY 2018 House
GOP budget resolution. The House rejected the RSC budget by a vote of
139 to 281. [House Vote 555,
10/5/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 10/5/17; Congressional
Actions, H. Amdt.
455;
Congressional Actions, H. Con. Res.
71]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Require The
Government Accountability Office To Conduct A Study On How Prohibiting
Gas Appliances Would Impact Energy Costs. In March 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment to the Lower
Energy Costs Act, which would "require the Government Accountability
Office, within one year of enactment, to conduct a study on how banning
gas appliances would affect electricity costs." The vote was on the
adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of
268 to 163. [House Vote 170,
3/29/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/29/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
141]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Bar The Energy Department From Implementing
Or Enforcing A February 2023 Rule That Would Establish Tighter Gas Stove
Efficiency Standards Or Any "Substantially Similar" Rules. In June
2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the
Save Our Gas Stoves Act, which would "prohibit the Energy Department
from finalizing, implementing or enforcing a February 2023 proposed rule
that would impose stricter gas stove efficiency standards, or any
'substantially similar' rule." The vote was on passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 249 to 181, thus sent the bill to the Senate.
[House Vote 268,
6/14/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/14/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1640]
Republicans Claimed The Regulation Could Impact 96% Of The Market
Because The Energy Department Reported That 20 Out Of 21 Gas Stoves
Tested Did Not Meet A Certain Standard. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "Prior to the release of the proposed rule, the
department produced a technical support document that said 20 of 21
gas stoves tested wouldn't meet a certain performance standard,
fueling the Republicans' charge that the final rule would impact 96
percent of the market." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/14/23]
February 2023: The Energy Department Clarified The Previous Report
Did Not Include All Gas Stoves In The Market And Assured That Almost
Half Of The Market Would Already Meet Standards. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The department said in a February update
that the original analysis didn't include all gas stoves on the
market and that 'nearly half of the total gas cooking top market'
would already meet the technical standards for the proposed rule."
[Congressional Quarterly,
6/14/23]
The Association Of Home Appliance Manufactures And The American
Gas Association Were Concerned The Rule Would Be Too Strict.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "However, groups including the
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and the American Gas
Association raised concerns that the rule would still be too
stringent and expressed support for the bill. Republican members
continued to cite the 96 percent figure as they pushed for passage
in floor debate." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/14/23]
If They Wanted To Establish A Conservation Standard For Gas
Stoves, The Bill Would Require The Energy Department To Ensure The
Standard Would Not Lead To Unavailability Of A Type Of Product Based
On The Type Of Fuel It Needs. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "It would also prohibit the department from determining
that an energy conservation standard for kitchen ranges or ovens is
economically justified unless it determines that the standard would
not likely result in the unavailability of a type of product in the
United States based on what type of fuel it consumes."
[Congressional Quarterly,
6/14/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have
Eliminated A Requirement For The Energy Department To Determine Product
Availability Impacts Before Establishing New Energy Conservation
Standards For Gas Stoves And Eliminated A Prohibition On Future Similar
Rules To The February 2023 Rule On Gas Stove Efficiency Standards. In
June 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
against an amendment to the Save Our Gas Stoves Act, which would "strike
language requiring the Energy Department to determine the impact on
product availability before imposing a new energy conservation standard
for kitchen ranges or ovens. It would also strike the bill's
prohibition on future DOE rulemaking that is 'substantially similar' to
the February 2023 rule on gas stove efficiency standards." The vote was
on the adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a
vote of 209 to 225. [House Vote 267,
6/14/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/14/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1640;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
189]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Postpone The
Prohibition On Gas Stove Efficiency Regulations Until The Energy
Department Were To Declare That Without Regulations There Would Not Be
Any Impacts On Energy Security. In June 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the
Save Our Gas Stoves Act, which would "delay the bill's prohibition on
enforcement of the gas stove efficiency regulation until the Energy
Department declares that the absence of the rule will not adversely
affect American energy security." The vote was on the adoption of an
amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 207 to 224.
[House Vote 266,
6/14/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/14/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1640;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
188]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prohibit The Consumer Product Safety
Commission From Using Federal Funding To Regulate Gas Stoves As Banned
Hazardous Products Or Impose Safety Standards On Gas Stoves That Would
Result In Prohibition Or Increase In Price. In June 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment to the Gas
Stove Protection and Freedom Act, which would "prohibit the Consumer
Product Safety Commission from using federal funds to regulate gas
stoves as banned hazardous products or to impose any consumer product
safety standard or rule on gas stoves that would either result in their
prohibition or 'substantially increase' their average price. As amended,
the bill would broaden the bill's prohibition on gas stove regulations
to include regulatory actions that would result in the unavailability in
the United States of a type of product based on the fuel it uses." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 248 to 180,
thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 255,
6/13/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/13/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1615]
The Bill Would Prevent The Consumer Product Safety Commission From
Finalizing A Rule Prohibiting Gas Stoves. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The vote came after the House on Tuesday
passed a bill (HR 1615) from Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., that
would prevent the Consumer Product Safety Commission from finalizing
a regulation banning gas stoves." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/14/23]
The Bill Would Prevent The Commission From Utilizing Federal Funds
To Finalize Or Enforce A Gas Stove Ban Or Implement Safety Standards
That Could Spike The Average Price. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The bill would prevent the CPSC from using federal funds
to finalize or enforce a ban on gas stoves, or impose any safety
standard that would significantly increase their average price."
[Congressional Quarterly,
6/13/23]
The Bill Was Filed After A Commission Member Raised The
Possibility Of A Gas Stove Ban Which Was Quickly Shut Down By The
Commission Chairman. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Republicans introduced the bill after a CPSC member raised the
prospect of a ban only to be quickly contradicted by the agency
chairman." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/13/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Expand
Prohibitions On Gas Stove Regulations To Include Regulatory Action That
Would Lead To Unavailability Of A Product Based On The Fuel It Uses.
In June 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for an amendment to the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, which
would "broaden the bill's prohibition on gas stove regulations to
include regulatory actions that would result in the unavailability in
the United States of a type of product based on the fuel it uses." The
vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the
amendment by a vote of 222 to 210. [House Vote 254,
6/13/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/13/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1615;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
186]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Gas Stove Protection And
Freedom Act. In June 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the rule (H Res 495) that would
provide for House floor consideration of [...] the Gas Stove
Protection and Freedom Act (HR 1615)." The vote was on the adoption of
the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 218 to 209. [House
Vote 250, 6/13/23;
Congressional Quarterly,
6/13/23; Congressional Actions,
H.Res.
495;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1615]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Save Our Gas Stoves Act.
In June 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for the "adoption of the rule (H Res 495) that would provide for House
floor consideration of [...] the Save Our Gas Stoves Act (HR 1640)."
The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by
a vote of 218 to 209. [House Vote 250,
6/13/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/13/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
495;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1640]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Gas Stove Protection And
Freedom Act. In June 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the previous question (thus
ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 495) that
would provide for House floor consideration of [...] the Gas Stove
Protection and Freedom Act (HR 1615)." The vote was on a motion to order
the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 216
to 209. [House Vote 249,
6/13/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/13/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
495;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1615]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Save Our Gas Stoves Act.
In June 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for the "motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and
possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 495) that would provide for
House floor consideration of [...] the Save Our Gas Stoves Act (HR
1640)." The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The
House agreed to the motion by a vote of 216 to 209. [House Vote 249,
6/13/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/13/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
495;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1640]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Gas Stove Protection And
Freedom Act. In June 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the rule (H Res 463) that would
provide for House floor consideration of [...] the Gas Stove
Protection and Freedom Act (HR 1615)." The vote was on the adoption of
the rule. The House rejected the rule by a vote of 206 to 220. [House
Vote 248, 6/6/23;
Congressional Quarterly,
6/6/23; Congressional Actions,
H.Res.
463;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1615]
Far-Right House Republicans Organized To Vote Against The Rule As
A Rebuke To GOP Leadership For The Passage Of The Bipartisan Debt
Limit Package And For Backtracking On A Promise to Vote On Gun
Rights Legislation. According to Roll Call, "Hard-right House
conservatives derailed legislation scheduled for floor votes Tuesday
in a rebuke to GOP leadership. A group of House Republicans bucked
their party to vote against a rule (H Res 463) devised by GOP
leaders to take up legislation that included measures to rein in the
federal regulatory process (HR 277, HR 288) and the Biden
administration's ability to restrict gas stoves in particular (HR
1615, HR 1640). The rule was defeated on a 206-220 vote, as 11 GOP
defectors joined all Democrats in opposition. [...] The dissenting
Republicans said the vote was intended to signal their frustration
with GOP leadership for cutting a deal last week on the debt limit
they opposed. They also said leaders backtracked on a pledge to
schedule a floor vote on gun rights legislation (H J Res 44)."
[Roll Call,
6/6/23]
The Defeat Of The House Rule Was The First Defeat Since 2002.
According to Roll Call, "It was the first defeat of a House rule on
the floor since 2002, according to C-SPAN's Howard Mortman. At that
time, anti-abortion Republicans rebelled against bankruptcy overhaul
legislation over language Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., helped
author that would bar protesters at abortion clinics from declaring
bankruptcy to avoid paying court-ordered fines and judgments."
[Roll Call,
6/6/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Save Our Gas Stoves Act.
In June 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for the "adoption of the rule (H Res 463) that would provide for House
floor consideration of [...] and the Save Our Gas Stoves Act (HR
1640)." The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House rejected the
rule by a vote of 206 to 220. [House Vote 248,
6/6/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/6/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
463;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1640]
Far-Right House Republicans Organized To Vote Against The Rule As
A Rebuke To GOP Leadership For The Passage Of The Bipartisan Debt
Limit Package And For Backtracking On A Promise to Vote On Gun
Rights Legislation. According to Roll Call, "Hard-right House
conservatives derailed legislation scheduled for floor votes Tuesday
in a rebuke to GOP leadership. A group of House Republicans bucked
their party to vote against a rule (H Res 463) devised by GOP
leaders to take up legislation that included measures to rein in the
federal regulatory process (HR 277, HR 288) and the Biden
administration's ability to restrict gas stoves in particular (HR
1615, HR 1640). The rule was defeated on a 206-220 vote, as 11 GOP
defectors joined all Democrats in opposition. [...] The dissenting
Republicans said the vote was intended to signal their frustration
with GOP leadership for cutting a deal last week on the debt limit
they opposed. They also said leaders backtracked on a pledge to
schedule a floor vote on gun rights legislation (H J Res 44)."
[Roll Call,
6/6/23]
The Defeat Of The House Rule Was The First Defeat Since 2002.
According to Roll Call, "It was the first defeat of a House rule on
the floor since 2002, according to C-SPAN's Howard Mortman. At that
time, anti-abortion Republicans rebelled against bankruptcy overhaul
legislation over language Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., helped
author that would bar protesters at abortion clinics from declaring
bankruptcy to avoid paying court-ordered fines and judgments."
[Roll Call,
6/6/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Gas Stove Protection And
Freedom Act. In June 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the previous question (thus
ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 463) that
would provide for House floor consideration of [...] the Gas Stove
Protection and Freedom Act (HR 1615)." The vote was on a motion to order
the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 215
to 203. [House Vote 247,
6/6/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/6/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
463;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1615]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Save Our Gas Stoves Act.
In June 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for the "motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and
possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 463) that would provide for
House floor consideration of [...] and the Save Our Gas Stoves Act (HR
1640)." The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The
House agreed to the motion by a vote of 215 to 203. [House Vote 247,
6/6/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/6/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
463;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1640]
2024: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Unlocking Our Domestic LNG
Potential Act. In February 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, the "motion to order the previous question
(thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res
1009) that would provide for floor consideration of the Unlocking our
Domestic LNG Potential Act (HR 7176)." The vote was on the previous
question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 212 to 206.
[House Vote 45, 2/14/24;
Congressional Quarterly,
2/14/24; Congressional Actions,
H.Res.
1009;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7176]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Removing Restrictions On The Import
And Export Of Liquefied Natural Gas. In March 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the Lower Energy
Costs Act, which would "remove restrictions on the import and export of
liquefied natural gas." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 225 to 204, thus the bill was sent to the Senate for
their consideration. [House Vote 182,
3/30/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/30/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
Republicans Claimed The Bill Would Decrease Emissions By Exporting
Liquefied Natural Gas Abroad To Offset Foreign Oil And Gas,
Especially Russian Fuel. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Republicans said the bill would lower emissions by sending LNG
abroad to offset foreign-made oil and gas, including fuels from
Russia, known for a leaky oil and gas system that bleeds methane
into the air." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/30/23]
The Bill Would Streamline The Permitting Process Under The
National Environmental Policy Act, Require More Oil And Gas Lease
Sales, And Encourage The Export Of Liquefied Natural Gas.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill would accelerate the
permitting process under the National Environmental Policy Act,
mandate more oil and gas lease sales and support the export of
liquefied natural gas, or LNG." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/30/23]
The Bill Passed After The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate
Change Urged Action To Swiftly Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions And
End Burning Fossil Fuels To Prevent Catastrophic Climate Change.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "Passage comes a little more
than a week after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the
world's leading body of climate scientists, warned humanity must
work swiftly to slash greenhouse gas emissions and stop burning
fossil fuels to avert catastrophic rapid climate change."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/30/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Disapprove Of
Oregon's Denial Of Permits For The Jordan Cove Energy Project, Which
Sought To Build A Liquefied Natural Gas Export Terminal. In March
2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an
amendment to the Lower Energy Costs Act, which would "express that
Congress disapproves of the state of Oregon's denial of permits
necessary for the Jordan Cove Energy Project, which was intended to
build a liquefied natural gas export terminal in Coos County, Oregon."
The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the
amendment by a vote of 221 to 208. [House Vote 167,
3/29/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/29/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
134]
2025: Fitzpatrick Voted To Disapprove A Rule That Would Have
Prohibited The Sale Of New Instantaneous, Non-Condensing Gas-Fired Water
Heaters. In February 2025, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, "the joint resolution that would nullify the
Department of Energy's final rule issued on Dec. 26, 2024, that set new
standards for instantaneous gas-fired water heaters and set to take
effect on Dec. 26, 2029. The DOE rule would essentially prohibit the
sale of new instantaneous, non-condensing gas-fired water heaters, but
would allow for the sale and use of other instantaneous water heaters."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 221 to
198. [House Vote 53,
2/27/25; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/27/25;
Congressional Actions, H.J. Res.
20]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Bar The Energy
Department From Implemented An Energy Conservation Rule For Gas Kitchen
Ranges And Ovens Or Any Rule That Would Restrict Consumer Access To Gas
Ranges And Ovens. In March 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment to the Lower Energy Costs Act, which
would "prohibit the Energy Department from finalizing or implementing a
proposed rule concerning energy conservation standards for gas kitchen
ranges and ovens, or any substantially similar rule, including any rule
that would directly or indirectly limit consumer access to such ranges
and ovens." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House
adopted the amendment by a vote of 251 to 181. [House Vote 171,
3/29/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/29/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
142]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted For Federal Rules On Greenhouse Gas Emissions
For The Oil And Natural Gas Industries. In September 2017, Fitzpatrick
voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "prohibit[ed] the use of funds appropriated by the bill to
enforce rules relating to source performance standards for greenhouse
gas emissions and volatile organic compound emissions from the oil and
natural gas sector." The underlying legislation was a legislative
vehicle for an FY 2018 Omnibus appropriations bill. The House adopted
the amendment by a vote of 218 to 195. The House later passed the
overall bill. The Senate took no substantive action on the overall
legislation. [House Vote 488,
9/13/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/13/17; Congressional
Actions, H. Amdt.
368;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3354]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted For The BLM's Natural Gas Flaring Rule. In
September 2017, Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment that would have,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit[ed] the use of funds
to finalize, implement, or enforce the Bureau of Land Management's rule
aimed to reduce waste of natural gas from venting, flaring, and leaks
during oil and natural gas production activities on onshore federal and
Indian (other than Osage Tribe) leases." The underlying legislation was
a legislative vehicle for an FY 2018 Omnibus appropriations bill. The
House adopted the amendment by a vote of 216 to 186. The House later
passed the underlying bill. The Senate took no substantive action on the
legislation. [House Vote 484,
9/7/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/7/17; Congressional
Actions, H. Amdt.
361;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3354]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Disapproving Waste Production,
Production Subject to Royalties, And Resource Conservation Rule. In
February 2017, Fitzpatrick voted against disapproving a rule on waste
production via the Congressional Review Act. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "This resolution disapproves the Waste Production, Production
Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation rule issued by the
Interior Department on Nov. 18, 2016, and provides that the rule will
have no force or effect." The vote was on the legislation. The House
agreed to the legislation by a vote of 221 to 191. The Senate took no
substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 78,
2/3/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/27/17;
Congressional Actions, H. J. Res.
36]
The Rule Requires That Oil And Gas Producers Use The Most Current
Technology And Process To Cut Flaring In Half, Inspect Their
Operations For Leaks And Limit Venting From Storage Tanks.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "As part of Obama's climate
plan, the Interior Department sought to reduce the release of
natural gas into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations on
public and Indian lands by updating existing regulations on venting,
flaring and leaks of natural gas. [...] The final rule, which was
issued Nov. 18, 2016, requires oil and gas producers to use
currently available technologies and processes to cut flaring in
half at oil wells on public and tribal lands. Operators must also
periodically inspect their operations for leaks and replace outdated
pieces of equipment that vent large quantities of gas into the air.
It also requires operators to limit venting from storage tanks, use
best practices to limit gas losses when removing liquids from wells
and restores the government's flexibility to set royalty rates at
or above 12.5% of the value of production." [Congressional
Quarterly,
[1/27/17](file://americanbridge.local/fileservices/Users/TZubatkin/Desktop/Opponents%20of%20the%20resolution,%20mainly%20Democrats,%20say%20that%20even%20though%20the%20United%20States%20is%20the%20largest%20producer%20of%20natural%20gas%20in%20the%20world,%20Americans%20have%20not%20benefited%20from%20the%20full%20potential%20of%20this%20energy%20resource%20because%20of%20venting,%20flaring%20and%20leaks%20of%20significant%20quantities%20of%20gas%20during%20the%20production%20process.%20They%20say%20that%20enough%20natural%20gas%20was%20lost%20between%202009%20and%202015%20to%20serve%20more%20than%206%20million%20households%20a%20year,%20which,%20according%20to%20the%20Government%20Accountability%20Office%20(GAO),%20means%20states,%20tribes%20and%20federal%20taxpayers%20lose%20millions%20of%20dollars%20annually%20in%20royalty%20revenue%20due%20the%20federal%20government%20and%20the%20states%20that%20share%20it.%20The%20rule%20is%20an%20important%20step%20in%20both%20protecting%20the%20environment%20and%20in%20reducing%20associated%20problems%20caused%20by%20global%20warming.)]
Democrat Supporters Of The Rule Note That Enough Natural Gas Was
Lost Between 2009 And 2015 To Serve More Than Six Million
Households, Costing Taxpayers Millions In Royalty Revenue.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "Opponents of the resolution,
mainly Democrats, say that even though the United States is the
largest producer of natural gas in the world, Americans have not
benefited from the full potential of this energy resource because of
venting, flaring and leaks of significant quantities of gas during
the production process. They say that enough natural gas was lost
between 2009 and 2015 to serve more than 6 million households a
year, which, according to the Government Accountability Office
(GAO), means states, tribes and federal taxpayers lose millions of
dollars annually in royalty revenue due the federal government and
the states that share it. The rule is an important step in both
protecting the environment and in reducing associated problems
caused by global warming." [Congressional Quarterly,
[1/27/17](file://americanbridge.local/fileservices/Users/TZubatkin/Desktop/Opponents%20of%20the%20resolution,%20mainly%20Democrats,%20say%20that%20even%20though%20the%20United%20States%20is%20the%20largest%20producer%20of%20natural%20gas%20in%20the%20world,%20Americans%20have%20not%20benefited%20from%20the%20full%20potential%20of%20this%20energy%20resource%20because%20of%20venting,%20flaring%20and%20leaks%20of%20significant%20quantities%20of%20gas%20during%20the%20production%20process.%20They%20say%20that%20enough%20natural%20gas%20was%20lost%20between%202009%20and%202015%20to%20serve%20more%20than%206%20million%20households%20a%20year,%20which,%20according%20to%20the%20Government%20Accountability%20Office%20(GAO),%20means%20states,%20tribes%20and%20federal%20taxpayers%20lose%20millions%20of%20dollars%20annually%20in%20royalty%20revenue%20due%20the%20federal%20government%20and%20the%20states%20that%20share%20it.%20The%20rule%20is%20an%20important%20step%20in%20both%20protecting%20the%20environment%20and%20in%20reducing%20associated%20problems%20caused%20by%20global%20warming.)]
NOTE TO RESEARCHER. -- Find companies that would have been
subject to this rule that the target is a) invested in b) has
received campaign donations from. [Congressional Quarterly,
[1/27/17](file://americanbridge.local/fileservices/Users/TZubatkin/Desktop/Opponents%20of%20the%20resolution,%20mainly%20Democrats,%20say%20that%20even%20though%20the%20United%20States%20is%20the%20largest%20producer%20of%20natural%20gas%20in%20the%20world,%20Americans%20have%20not%20benefited%20from%20the%20full%20potential%20of%20this%20energy%20resource%20because%20of%20venting,%20flaring%20and%20leaks%20of%20significant%20quantities%20of%20gas%20during%20the%20production%20process.%20They%20say%20that%20enough%20natural%20gas%20was%20lost%20between%202009%20and%202015%20to%20serve%20more%20than%206%20million%20households%20a%20year,%20which,%20according%20to%20the%20Government%20Accountability%20Office%20(GAO),%20means%20states,%20tribes%20and%20federal%20taxpayers%20lose%20millions%20of%20dollars%20annually%20in%20royalty%20revenue%20due%20the%20federal%20government%20and%20the%20states%20that%20share%20it.%20The%20rule%20is%20an%20important%20step%20in%20both%20protecting%20the%20environment%20and%20in%20reducing%20associated%20problems%20caused%20by%20global%20warming.)]
2017: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Requiring The EPA To List Hydrogen
Sulfide As A Hazardous Air Pollutant. In July 2017, Fitzpatrick voted
against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "require[d] the EPA to issue a rule adding hydrogen sulfide
to the list of hazardous air pollutants." The underlying legislation
would have, also according to Congressional Quarterly, "extend[ed] for
eight years the deadline for the EPA to implement new National Ambient
Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone." The vote was on the
amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 186 to 242.
[House Vote 388,
7/18/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/18/17; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/18/17; Congressional
Actions, H. Amdt.
201;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
806]
Hydrogen Sulfide Is A Colorless, But Hazardous Gas, That Emits A
'Rotten Egg' Scent; It Occurs Naturally In Crude Petroleum And
Natural Gas. According to the Occupational Safety & Health
Administration, "Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable,
extremely hazardous gas with a 'rotten egg' smell. It occurs
naturally in crude petroleum and natural gas, and can be produced by
the breakdown of organic matter and human/ animal wastes (e.g.,
sewage). It is heavier than air and can collect in low-lying and
enclosed, poorly ventilated areas such as basements, manholes, sewer
lines and underground telephone/electrical vaults." [OSHA,
Accessed
7/11/16]
At High Concentrations, Death Can Occur Within A Few Breaths.
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration,
"Health effects vary with how long, and at what level, you are
exposed. Asthmatics may be at greater risk. Low concentrations --
irritation of eyes, nose, throat, or respiratory system; effects can
be delayed. Moderate concentrations -- more severe eye and
respiratory effects, headache, dizziness, nausea, coughing, vomiting
and difficulty breathing. High concentrations -- shock, convulsions,
unable to breathe, coma, death; effects can be extremely rapid
(within a few breaths)." [OSHA, Accessed
7/11/16]