Press Releases

House Passes Congressman Russell Fry’s (SC-07) SHOWER Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Russell Fry’s (SC-07) Saving Homeowners from Overregulation With Exceptional Rinsing (SHOWER) Act. The SHOWER Act will codify President Trump’s clear and consistent definition of “showerhead” and put an end to the federal government’s overregulation of household water fixtures.

Under the 2016 Trump Administration, the Department of Energy (DOE) rightly clarified that each nozzle in a multi-head shower system could be treated as a separate showerhead, each allowed to flow at up to 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM), consistent with the original intent of the 1992 Energy Policy Act.

But in 2021, the Biden Administration reversed course, reinstating a burdensome interpretation that limited the combined flow of all nozzles in a system to 2.5 GPM—effectively reducing water pressure and restricting consumer choice. That rule was widely criticized as overreach and emblematic of a broader regulatory agenda targeting everyday household appliances.

President Trump issued an Executive Order in April of 2025 directing DOE to eliminate the Biden-era rule, and DOE followed through in May by repealing the restrictive definition entirely. The SHOWER Act would ensure this rollback is enshrined in law and cannot be reversed by future administrations.

Specifically, the bill:

• Codifies the definition of “showerhead” using the ASME A112.18.1–2018 industry standard.

• Clarifies that each individual nozzle in a multi-nozzle unit may operate independently at up to 2.5 GPM.

• Excludes safety showerheads used for emergency purposes.

• Directs the DOE to revise existing regulations within 180 days to reflect the updated statutory definition.

• Prevents future reinterpretations that would restrict water flow and limit consumer options.

“With the House’s passage of the SHOWER Act, we’re taking a step toward restoring common sense and consumer choice,” said Congressman Fry. This bill is about more than showerheads—it’s about pushing back on unnecessary federal rules that reach into everyday life. Americans shouldn’t need permission from Washington to be comfortable in their own homes.”

“American families deserve the freedom to buy the appliances and technologies that work best for them, not what federal regulators mandate,” said House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie. “The decision to limit water flow by the Biden-Harris Administration was part of a broader effort to use heavy-handed federal regulations to limit consumer choice. The SHOWER Act would address this issue by providing certainty for manufacturers, while improving water flow for consumers and restoring Congress’s original intent. Thank you to Congressman Fry for his work to advance this important legislation.”

“Today’s passage of Congressman Fry’s SHOWER Act is the latest in a long list of wins for American consumers by House Republicans this Congress,” said Senior Director of Government Affairs for National Taxpayers Union Thomas Aiello. “This legislation delivers certainty for manufacturers by overturning overly burdensome regulations, which we believe will lead to more affordable, higher quality choices for consumers in their own homes. National Taxpayers Union applauds Congressman Fry for his leadership and we look forward to helping this legislation reach President Trump’s desk.”

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Congressman Fry serves on both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. To stay up to date with Congressman Fry and his work for the Seventh District, follow his official Facebook, Instagram, and X pages and visit his website at fry.house.gov.