The House of Representatives has taken a stand against federal overreach, voting to reverse restrictive Biden-era showerhead regulations that have left many homeowners frustrated with weak water pressure.
On Tuesday, the House passed a bill with a 226-197 vote to undo regulations on showerheads implemented under the Biden administration.
The legislation, named the Saving Homeowners from Overregulation with Exceptional Rinsing Act (SHOWER Act), was sponsored by Rep. Russell Fry of South Carolina. Notably, 11 Democrats crossed party lines to join Republicans in supporting the measure, which now moves to the Senate for consideration.
In the Senate, the bill will need backing from at least seven Democrats to secure passage and reach President Trump’s desk.
The SHOWER Act aims to codify an executive order from President Trump issued last April, directing the Department of Energy to repeal the Biden administration’s interpretation of water pressure limits for showers, Fox News reported.
Under current law, showerheads are restricted to a specific pressure level, and the Biden rule further limited combined flow for multi-nozzle showers, reducing pressure per nozzle.
Supporters contend that this vote is a much-needed pushback against excessive regulation creeping into the most personal spaces of American life. The idea that Washington should dictate how much water flows through a showerhead strikes many as a step too far.
Rep. Russell Fry didn’t mince words on the issue. “Washington bureaucrats have gone too far in dictating what happens in Americans’ own homes,” he said. It’s hard to argue with that when you’re standing under a trickle that barely rinses shampoo out of your hair.
Fry also framed the SHOWER Act as a return to basic logic. “The SHOWER Act is a smart fix that reaffirms each shower nozzle is just that — its own shower head — and should be treated accordingly under the law,” he added. If a household wants multiple nozzles without sacrificing pressure, why should a federal rule stand in the way?
The bill’s backers argue it’s about empowering consumers, not coddling them with endless mandates. Rep. Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, highlighted how these rules have constrained options for families.
Guthrie’s critique cuts to the core of the frustration. “For far too long, federal regulations and red tape have limited consumer choice and forced Americans to live with limited water pressure,” he stated. When did a morning shower become a battleground for bureaucratic overreach?
Even some Democrats, like Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, saw the merit in reversing course on this policy. His support, along with 10 other party members, shows that not everyone on the left buys into the idea of micromanaging bathroom fixtures.
Rep. John McGuire of Virginia echoed a sentiment many share about the broader trend of regulation. He argued that Democrats often lean toward policies that burden rather than benefit, and this bill offers a refreshing change with less interference.
The SHOWER Act redefines how nozzles are viewed under the law, treating each as a separate entity rather than lumping them under a restrictive combined limit. Fry noted that the Biden interpretation was seen by many as emblematic of a larger agenda targeting household appliances. It’s not just about showers; it’s about where the line is drawn.
Guthrie emphasized that codifying a clearer standard lets families pick what works for them. The notion of Washington mandating something as mundane as shower pressure feels like a punchline, but for too many, it’s been the reality.
