Bill · H.R. 6398· House(119-HR-6398)
RED Tape Act
- Introduced
- 12/3/2025
- Last activity
- 4/17/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- John Joyce
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations Act" or the "RED Tape Act," seeks to amend the Clean Air Act. It specifically targets the review process conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding proposed legislation. The bill modifies Section 309 of the Clean Air Act to change how the Administrator handles certain actions and regulations. These changes involve striking specific language regarding Federal projects and agency actions.
Yes
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+2
By limiting the scope of EPA reviews on federal projects and regulations, the bill aims to reduce regulatory burdens on business activities.
Would business owners be better off under this?+2
The bill potentially benefits business owners by reducing the regulatory review processes for federal projects and agency actions.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4
The bill reduces environmental protections by stripping the EPA's authority to review newly authorized federal construction projects and proposed agency regulations under the Clean Air Act.
Does this give the federal government more power?-3
The bill reduces the oversight power of the federal EPA Administrator over agency actions and federal construction projects.
Would people in cities be better off under this?-2
Reduced EPA oversight of federal actions may lead to less stringent air quality protections in populated areas.
What Congress actually voted on
2 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. One of them decided something; the rest moved it along.
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the billPassed 222–205
This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.
04/16/2026 · Roll call 118 · recorded as “On Passage”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- There are no specific positive outcomes or benefits for individuals or groups listed in the provided text.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The bill modifies Section 309 of the Clean Air Act by striking language related to "newly authorized Federal projects for construction and any major Federal agency action" and "proposed regulations published by any department or agency of the Federal Government" (Section 2). This change alters the scope of what the Administrator reviews under the existing Act.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power-3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2Good For Urban Residents-2
- 4/17/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 4/16/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 222 - 205 (Roll no. 118).
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 222 - 205 (Roll no. 118).
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 216 (Roll no. 117).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2938-2939)
- 4/15/2026
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 6398, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit, and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Grijalva demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Mrs. Grijalva moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H2912-2913)
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 6398.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6387, H.R. 6398, H.R. 6409 and H. Res. 1156. The resolution provides for consideration of each measure under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides one motion to recommit on H.R. 6387, H.R. 6398, and H.R. 6409.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1174. (consideration: CR H2909-2913; text: CR H2909)
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1174 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6387, H.R. 6398, H.R. 6409 and H. Res. 1156. The resolution provides for consideration of each measure under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides one motion to recommit on H.R. 6387, H.R. 6398, and H.R. 6409.
- 4/9/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-596.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 516.
- 1/21/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 22.
- 12/10/2025
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 12 - 10.
- 12/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.