The record

LegislationLegislation· Apr 2026
HR 6409 Passed House — in Senate

Sponsored by August Pfluger (R)

FENCES Act

Exempts states from Clean Air Act penalties when foreign emissions prevent meeting air quality standards.

Tradeoff

States can avoid federal sanctions and fees for air pollution if they prove emissions from outside the US caused the problem. The state must renew this proof every five years to keep the exemption.

What's in it

See official bill text

The House rejected a the bill on April 16, 2026, by a vote of 215-213. The bill then passed the House 220-208 on the same day — now in the Senate.

  1. House

    Introduced

    (Dec 3, 2025)

  2. House

    Committee on Energy and Commerce(Dec 3, 2025)

  3. House

    The Committee on Energy and Commerce voted to send it to the floor

    Reported 25 - 22(Jan 21, 2026)

    Committee report H. Rept. 119-594.

  4. House

    On

    Failed(Roll #115 · Apr 16, 2026)

    213 yeanay 215

  5. House

    Passage of the bill

    Passed(Roll #116 · Apr 16, 2026)

    220 yeanay 208

  6. Senate

    Received from the House

    on Environment and Public Works(Apr 17, 2026)

Passage votes so far· Apr 16, 2026· 119th Congress · 2025–2027