H.J.Res. 75 explained · 119th Congress · Became law
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".
Cosponsors: 13 (0 D, 13 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-11
Introduced: 2025-03-10
Latest action (2025-05-09): Became Public Law No: 119-9.
What H.J.Res. 75 does, in plain terms
This joint resolution eliminates new, more stringent energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers. Under the joint resolution, such equipment is no longer required to comply with the new standards. Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers and published by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy on January 21, 2025. Under the rule, the office adopted new energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration equipment to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified. The rule required the equipment to comply with the those standards by January 22, 2029.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
Constitution Index
“VFA Constitution grade”
Constitutionally sound
Graded 2026-10-08
SI-generated grade · five published checks · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology
HJRES 75, enacted as Public Law 119-9, repeals a 2025 Department of Energy efficiency mandate for commercial refrigeration. The SI grade is A because Congress used lawful oversight power to reduce federal overreach, infringe no Bill of Rights protection, restore individual and state choice, and take no property without process.
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✓ Passes · Enumerated powers
Congress acts within explicit authority: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 Necessary and Proper Clause combined with oversight of executive rulemaking, and Article I, Section 7 presentment and bicameralism procedures as implemented by the Congressional Review Act at 5 U.S.C. chapter 8. Disapproving an agency rule that stretched Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 Commerce Clause authority over intrastate… -
✓ Passes · Bill of Rights
Nullifying a commercial appliance efficiency mandate removes rather than imposes a restriction on 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Amendment interests. No speech, religion, press, arms, search, self-incrimination, trial, jury, or punishment provision is infringed. The action supports Tenth Amendment reserved powers by withdrawing federal regulation of intrastate commercial equipment choic… -
✓ Passes · Individual sovereignty
The SI analysis finds this expands sovereignty over person, property, labor and enterprise. Manufacturers, grocers, restaurants and owners regain liberty of contract and use of property to select cost-effective refrigeration without proving freedom to the government. No compelling justification for the federal mandate was sustained by Congress, so the burden principle favors repeal. -
✓ Passes · Decentralization
The SI review finds this disapproval decentralizes: (1) individuals and businesses can choose refrigeration equipment efficiency without federal compulsion; (2) local communities have no need for federal standards; (3) states can set their own efficiency or consumer-protection policies under their police powers; (4) it does not consolidate upward, it reverses upward consolidation and restores the … -
✓ Passes · Due process and takings
No procedural or substantive due process violation under the Fifth Amendment Due Process Clause. Notice was given through Congressional Review Act procedures in Article I, Section 7 presentment and bicameralism, signed as Public Law 119-9. No property is taken; compliance costs and retrofits required by the 2025 rule are lifted, so no Fifth Amendment Takings Clause just-compensation issue arises.
Sources: Congress.gov: HJRES 75 summary
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