WASHINGTON — The House passed a bill Tuesday that would prevent the Consumer Product Safety Commission from finalizing any rule banning gas stoves, returning to the measure a week after conservative Republicans scuttled their leaders’ efforts to get the legislation to the floor.
The 248-180 vote for the bill from Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., included 29 Democratic supporters, confirming Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ assertion in floor debate that the measure had bipartisan support. Bilirakis, R-Fla., is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce.
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. Republicans introduced the bill after a CPSC member raised the prospect of a ban only to be quickly contradicted by the agency chairman.
