I advocated directly with Administrator Zeldin for this commonsense change... Lower costs, fewer mandates, and more freedom for our local economy — that’s how we keep Kentucky competitive.
Will advocate for lower fuel costs and fewer mandates that burden Kentucky families and small businesses.
Occurrences
Evidence
Congress.gov lists Representative Andy Barr as Republican, House Kentucky District 6, 113th-119th Congresses (2013-Present), and shows member activity including roll call votes and energy-related legislation.
Congress.gov says H.R.4899 was the Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014, had subject policy area Energy, and passed the House on June 26, 2014 by recorded vote 229-185. The CRS summary says it directed offshore leasing for areas with the largest technically recoverable oil and gas resources and set production goals for oil and natural gas.
The House Clerk roll call for H.R.4899, Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act, shows status Passed, Aye 229, No 185; Representative Barr, Republican, Kentucky, voted Aye.
Congress.gov lists H.R.1 as the Lower Energy Costs Act, subject policy area Energy, and says it passed the House on March 30, 2023 by Yeas and Nays 225-204. The CRS summary includes provisions on increasing American energy production, exports, infrastructure, and critical minerals processing; it also prohibits a presidential fracking moratorium unless Congress authorizes it.
The House Clerk roll call for H.R.1 shows Vote Question: On Passage, Lower Energy Costs Act, status Passed, yea 225, nay 204; Representative Barr, Republican, Kentucky, voted Yea.
Congress.gov says H.R.277, the REINS Act of 2023, passed the House on June 14, 2023 by 221-210. The CRS summary says the bill establishes congressional approval for major rules, and that a major rule includes one likely to cause a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, industries, government agencies, or geographic regions.
The House Clerk roll call for H.R.277 shows Vote Question: On Passage, REINS Act, status Passed, yea 221, nay 210; Representative Barr, Republican, Kentucky, voted Yea.
Congress.gov states H.J.Res.27 would nullify the 2023 rule defining Waters of the United States, which expanded federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act compared with the 2020 rule. It passed the House and Senate, was vetoed by the President on April 6, 2023, and failed to pass over veto on April 18, 2023.
The House Clerk roll call for H.J.Res.27 shows Vote Question: On Passage, congressional disapproval of the Army Corps and EPA rule relating to Revised Definition of Waters of the United States, status Passed, yea 227, nay 198; Representative Barr, Republican, Kentucky, voted Yea.
Congress.gov says H.R.1435 passed the House on September 14, 2023 by 222-190. The CRS summary says it modifies Clean Air Act waiver rules for state vehicle emission standards and makes standards that directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new internal-combustion vehicles ineligible for waivers.
Assessments
The promise was framed as advocacy, not a guarantee that fuel-cost or anti-mandate legislation would become law. During Barr's first House term, he voted for H.R.4899, the Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014, which passed the House and directly targeted gasoline prices through expanded oil and gas production. Later votes for the Lower Energy Costs Act, REINS Act, WOTUS disapproval, and vehicle-emissions waiver limits further show continued advocacy against costly federal mandates. Same-term credit is appropriate because the core advocacy occurred while he was in the relevant federal office term.