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HR-6409 119th Congress

FENCES Act

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. House
  4. Senate
  5. President
  6. Law

Official Summary

Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability Act or the FENCES Act This bill modifies standards under the Clean Air Act to exempt states from penalties for emissions outside of the state’s control. The bill provides that certain nonattainment areas (i.e., those classified as severe or extreme for ozone or as serious for particulate matter) are not subject to sanctions for implementation plan deficiencies or for fees for failing to attain national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) if the state demonstrates it would have avoided deficiencies or attained its standards but for emissions outside of its control (e.g., emissions from an exceptional event like a wildfire). A state must renew its demonstration at least once every five years for exemption from the sanctions or fees to continue to apply. The bill specifies that an area within a state may not be designated as a nonattainment area regarding any new or revised NAAQS for a pollutant if the state demonstrates it would be in attainment but for emissions emanating from outside of the country, regardless of whether the emissions resulted from human activity. For purposes of approving a state implementation plan or meeting certain NAAQS, current law provides that a state may demonstrate to the Environmental Protection Agency that but for emissions emanating from outside of the country, it would have attained applicable NAAQS by the attainment date for certain pollutants. The bill specifies that such emissions emanating from outside the country may include emissions that result from human activity.

Actions

  1. Apr 17, 2026 · Senate
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  2. Apr 16, 2026 · House
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Apr 16, 2026 · House
    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 116).
  4. Apr 16, 2026 · House
    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 116).
  5. Apr 16, 2026 · House
    On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 215 (Roll no. 115).
  6. Apr 16, 2026 · House
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2937-2938)
  7. Apr 15, 2026 · House
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 6409, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit, and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Min demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  8. Apr 15, 2026 · House
    The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
  9. Apr 15, 2026 · House
    Mr. Min moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H2908-2909)
  10. Apr 15, 2026 · House
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  11. Apr 15, 2026 · House
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 6409.
  12. Apr 15, 2026 · 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.
  13. Apr 15, 2026 · House
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1174. (consideration: CR H2902-2909; text: CR H2902-2903)
  14. Apr 15, 2026 · House
    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.
  15. Apr 14, 2026 · House
    Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, H. Rept. 119-594, Part II.
  16. Apr 14, 2026 · House
    Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, H. Rept. 119-594, Part II.
  17. Apr 9, 2026 · House
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 514.
  18. Apr 9, 2026 · House
    Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-594.
  19. Apr 9, 2026 · House
    Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-594.
  20. Jan 21, 2026 · House
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 22.
  21. Jan 21, 2026 · House
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  22. Dec 10, 2025 · House
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 11.
  23. Dec 10, 2025 · House
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  24. Dec 3, 2025 · House
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
  25. Dec 3, 2025 · House
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Roll Call Votes

Full Text & Official Record

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