The news that a US Federal Agency Considering a ban on gas stoves, a source of indoor pollution linked to childhood asthma that more than 40 million Americans use at home, set off a firestorm and some high-level backlash as tensions over the restrictions boil over in Washington.
The alleged ban on gas stoves was first mentioned this week by the US Consumer Product Safety commissioner Richard Trumka Jr., who called gas stoves a hidden hazard in an interview with Bloomberg and suggested the agency could ban them.
Stressed that any ban would apply only to new gas stoves, not existing ones, Trumka, however, confirmed that everything’s on the table when it comes to gas stoves.
His comments and suggestions have sparked fury and significant pushback from moderate Democrats and Republicans in Congress- from DOP Sen. Ted Cruz to Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin who came out against the idea of a ban with Cruz calling it a staggering overreach, announcing an investigation and intent to stop it.
Manchin, on the other hand, underscored in a written statement that the federal government has no business telling American families how to cook their dinner, pointing out that they need to reevaluate the commission.
Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, also pledged to do some oversight on Wednesday, noting during an energy industry event that they need to understand what’s being proposed and why and stressing the importance of the gas stoves.
The White House also said it doesn’t support a ban, with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre making it clear that President Biden does not support banning gas stoves, pointing out that the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is independent, is not banning gas stoves.
The CPSC, which is made up of three Biden appointees and one appointee of former President Trump, is expected to issue a formal request for public input on hazards associated with gas stoves and proposed solutions to those hazards by March.
The commission makes its decisions independently.
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