The Biden administration’s effort to establish new emissions standards for electric vehicles was halted by a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Friday.
Members of both parties have concerns about the emissions rule set by Biden. The cost to hard-working Americans to have to buy a new EV is one of the main points of contention.
This action also comes at a time when reports are showing a decline in EV sales. Manufacturers like Volvo are stepping back from EV only goals due to a growing consumer interest in hybrids versus EVs.
In March, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule under the Clean Air Act that aimed to require up to two-thirds of new cars sold to be electric vehicles by 2032.
These new standards would impact light-duty vehicle manufacturers, independent commercial importers, alternative fuel converters, as well as manufacturers and converters of medium-duty vehicles, according to the EPA’s final rule.
On Friday, the House passed a resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), introduced by Rep. John James, R-Mich., to block what he called an “out-of-touch regulation” from taking effect.
The amendment was approved with bipartisan support, with eight Democrats voting in favor of the bill.
Democrats who were against the bill argued that the EPA’s regulations were essential for reducing emissions. However, James, speaking on the House floor before the vote, referred to the Biden administration’s new standards as ‘catastrophic.’
“The Biden-Harris Administration’s EPA tailpipe emission rule is another out-of-touch regulation that will crater the Michigan auto industry and decimate our middle-class and most vulnerable,” James said in a press release after the bill passed. “This is a de-facto electric vehicle mandate that will put all 77,580 manufacturing jobs in MI-10 at great risk of extinction. I am grateful that the House passed this measure to prevent the Biden-Harris administration’s rule from ravaging the livelihoods of thousands in Michigan and across the country.”
Representative, Cath McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, the chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee stated, “the rule is unreasonable and just another example of how the Biden-Harris administration’s rush-to-green agenda is handing China the key to America’s energy future, jeopardizing our auto industry and forcing people to buy unaffordable EVs they don’t want.
Others, like New jersey Representative Frank Pallone, believes the Republicans are putting corporate profits over public health. He added that the reality is, even if this bill to block the EV mandate passes the Senate, it will be vetoed by Biden.
The EPA rule is set to take effect for model years 2027 to 2032. This initiative is expected to prevent more than 7 billion tons of carbon emissions that contribute to global warming over the next thirty years. Additionally, it is projected to deliver nearly $100 billion in annual net benefits.
These benefits include reduced healthcare costs, fewer fatalities, and over $60 billion in savings each year on fuel, maintenance, and repairs, according to the EPA.
