Summary of House Resolution 1189 (H.Res. 1189), 119th Congress
Note: This is a House Rules resolution that provides for the consecutive consideration of four bills (and related resolutions) in the House. It does not itself amend policy but governs how the listed bills will be debated and voted upon.
1) Purpose and intent
The resolution provides a structured rule for the floor consideration of four separate measures:
- H.R. 4690: A bill titled the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act (as referenced by the summary text), proposing changes to energy efficiency standards for Federal buildings (specifically repealing certain Federal building energy efficiency performance standards) and related provisions.
- H.R. Res. 1182: A resolution expressing support for rural communities across the United States as stewards of the environment, energy resources, food production, manufacturing capacity, and drivers of national economic stability.
- H.R. 1897: A bill titled the ESA Amendments Act of 2025 (Endangered Species Act amendments) aiming to optimize conservation through resource prioritization, incentivize private-land wildlife conservation, strengthen incentives to recover listed species, improve transparency and accountability, streamline permitting, remove barriers to conservation, and restore congressional intent.
- H.R. 5587: A bill titled the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026 (Geothermal context) to waive Federal drilling permits for certain activities and exempt certain activities from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, with other purposes.
The Rules resolution designates these measures for consideration under closed rules, meaning limited opportunities for amendments from the floor beyond specific modifications described in the rule.
2) Key provisions and changes the bills would make (as covered by the resolution)
Because H.Res. 1189 is a rules package, it does not itself implement substantive policy changes beyond setting the floor procedures. It specifies:
For H.R. 4690 (Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act):
- The amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the bill (as provided by the Energy and Commerce Committee) shall be considered adopted.
- The bill, as amended, will be read and considered, with all points of order against provisions waived.
- Debate: 1 hour total, equally divided between the Committee on Energy and Commerce chair and ranking member or their designees.
- One motion to recommit allowed.
For H.R. Res. 1182 (rural communities resolution):
- Consideration on the floor under a closed rule.
- One hour of general debate, equally divided between the chair and ranking minority member of the relevant committee (Energy and Commerce).
For H.R. 1897 (ESA Amendments Act of 2025):
- The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Natural Resources Committee shall be considered as adopted (with text of Rules Committee Print 119–23 substituted in).
- The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.
- All points of order against provisions, as amended, are waived.
- One hour of debate, equally divided, on Natural Resources Committee leadership.
- One motion to recommit allowed.
For H.R. 5587 (Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026):
- Consideration under a closed rule.
- The substitute amendment from the Natural Resources Committee shall be considered adopted.
- The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.
- One hour of debate, equally divided, on Natural Resources Committee leadership.
- One motion to recommit allowed.
Waivers:
- Points of order under rule XIII (cost estimates, etc.) are waived for each bill as amended, though the committee notes no known points of order.
- The waivers are “prophylactic” in nature (prevent potential procedural obstacles).
3) Who or what would be affected
- H.R. 4690: Affects federal buildings’ energy performance standards by repealing certain standards. Potential implications for federal energy efficiency requirements and related infrastructure policies.
- H.R. Res. 1182: Expresses support for rural communities; no direct policy change, but signals congressional support and may influence legislative attention toward rural environmental/Energy resources policies.
- H.R. 1897: Affects endangered species conservation policy by expanding prioritization, private-land incentives, recovery incentives, transparency/accountability, and permitting processes; aims to streamline and enhance conservation outcomes.
- H.R. 5587: Affects geothermal and energy exploration activities by waiving certain federal drilling permit requirements and exempting some activities from NEPA in specified contexts; could alter permitting timelines and environmental review processes for geothermal projects.
4) Procedural and timeline aspects
- The Rules resolution was reported by the Committee on Rules with a 6–3 vote.
- It establishes a closed rule for all four measures, configuring:
- Allocation of 1 hour of debate per measure (with division between the chair and ranking member of the respective committee).
- One motion to recommit for each measure.
- Adoption of substitute/amendments as specified (amendments in the nature of a substitute for the ESA and energy-related measures).
- Timing:
- As of the report, the resolution is set for floor consideration in the 119th Congress, 2nd session, with specific procedural steps outlined for the order of consideration.
- The action history shows debate occurred on April 21, 2026, with postponement of further proceedings and a roll-call on ordering the previous question.
5) Bottom-line
H.Res. 1189 is a timing and structure bill that governs how four related policy measures will be debated and voted on in the House. It sets the stage for considering H.R. 4690 (energy efficiency rollback for Federal buildings), H.R. Res. 1182 (support for rural communities), H.R. 1897 (ESA amendments to bolster conservation and private-land incentives), and H.R. 5587 (geothermal permitting and NEPA exemptions). It includes procedural waivers and amends the legislative process to allow expedited consideration with limited floor amendments.
