Randy Weber Warns Of 'Significant, Major Upfront Costs' For Small Businesses Under Biden-Era Rule

2 days ago

During debate on the House floor, Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) spoke in support of a resolution to overturn a Department of Energy efficiency standard for walk-in refrigerators and freezers.

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00:00Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

00:06The gentleman is recognized.

00:08Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

00:09Mr. Speaker, on December 23, 2024, as American households and businesses are in the process

00:18of preparing for the holidays, the Biden-Harris Department of Energy finalized burdensome

00:26and unnecessary energy efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.

00:33These products are staples, they're necessary in businesses and restaurants across the country,

00:41and they play an essential role in providing consumers with safe and fresh food as well

00:47as drinks.

00:48Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the Biden-Harris Administration's final rule jeopardizes those

00:55very same small and independent retailers' ability to serve the communities that rely

01:01on them.

01:03This final rule will force stores like small grocers and convenience stores to incur significant

01:12major upfront costs for new equipment.

01:14I know because I operated air conditioning equipment business for 35 years.

01:19They will incur significant major upfront costs for new equipment while reckoning with

01:24associated operational disruptions and supply chain challenges.

01:29The Biden-Harris DOE itself estimated that the cost of these standards, which were last

01:37updated just a handful of years ago, to be almost $1 billion, however, the real cost,

01:46Mr. Speaker, is likely much higher as DOE ignored other costs businesses will be forced

01:52to absorb.

01:53I know, I operated an air conditioning company for 35 years.

01:56For example, like any structural changes needed to accommodate a new walk-in cooler or freezer

02:03in order to comply with their final rule.

02:07Unfortunately, this final rule will disproportionately impact rural communities and small businesses.

02:14In many areas across the country, Mr. Speaker, including in my district in Texas, there are

02:20communities with limited food and drink and retail options.

02:24It's not uncommon for a convenience store to bridge that gap in providing food to American

02:30families.

02:31These same small businesses, which are often owned and operated by a single family or an

02:36individual cannot afford the new equipment mandated by these unreasonable standards.

02:42In fact, 90% of food and drink retailers are categorized as small businesses and operate,

02:51get this, with a 1 to 3% margin.

02:56That's how slim the margin is.

02:58The result will be significant costs being passed down to consumers and in the worst

03:03case scenario, the shuttering of businesses, those mom and pop businesses that we all like,

03:10they may be shuttered, prevented from providing essential services to their very communities

03:16that they grew up in.

03:17Well, thankfully, Mr. Speaker, the House is considering H.J. Res. 24, introduced by Representative

03:24Bice of Oklahoma, to repeal this disastrous final rule.

03:28Over the last four years, small businesses have endured supply chain challenges, an inflationary

03:35environment, and regulatory uncertainty, just to name a few.

03:40Congress has the opportunity today to chart a new path for the small and independent retailers

03:46and grocers that feed American families by repealing this final rule.

03:52I thank the gentlelady from Oklahoma for her leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues

03:57to join me in supporting H.J. Res. 24.

04:02Once again, I'm going to urge all my colleagues to support and I reserve, Mr. Speaker.

Randy Weber Warns Of 'Significant, Major Upfront Costs' For Small Businesses Under Biden-Era Rule

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