The Warren Sun

Representative John James, alongside Senator Mike Crapo and 89 other members of Congress, has sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Leader Mitch McConnell, urging them to defund the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light duty trucks. The letter emphasizes the need to use the "power of the purse" as stated in the Constitution to halt the implementation of these unrealistic standards.

The proposed CAFE standards, often referred to as an "EV mandate," would not only increase the average cost of a car by $932, but also impose an additional $58.6 billion in costs on automakers. This burden would ultimately be borne by the American consumer. Representative James, who has firsthand experience in the automotive industry, warns that this forced transition to electric vehicles will have severe consequences for the economy and infringe upon Americans' freedom of choice.

In support of the letter, Senator Mike Crapo states, "This de facto mandate through the federal rulemaking process hurts consumer choice and the affordability of vehicles available to Americans. Consequences of rules and regulations such as these raise costs for the average American family." He criticizes the Biden Administration's radical green agenda for picking winners and losers instead of adhering to free market principles.

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) also expresses their support for the letter, highlighting the negative impact the proposed CAFE standards would have on vehicle affordability and consumer choice. Mike Stanton, President and CEO of NADA, states, "While franchised dealers across the country have over $10 billion in EV investments and commitments, a lack of charging infrastructure and higher prices have dampened consumer demand for EVs. Simply put, these proposed new standards go too far, too fast."

The American Petroleum Institute (API) adds their voice to the opposition against the NHTSA's proposal. Amanda Eversole, Executive Vice President & Chief Advocacy Officer for API, condemns the Biden administration's attempt to limit consumers' access to affordable and reliable vehicle options. She argues that new vehicles using liquid fuels can and should be part of the solution to reduce carbon emissions. Eversole welcomes Representative James' and Senator Crapo's efforts to protect Americans from what she perceives as misguided and intrusive government mandates.

In conclusion, Representative John James and a coalition of lawmakers are urging Congress to use their power of the purse to defund the NHTSA's proposed CAFE standards. They argue that these standards not only increase the cost of vehicles but also limit consumer choice and hinder economic growth. The support from Senator Mike Crapo, the National Automobile Dealers Association, and the American Petroleum Institute highlights the broad opposition to the proposed EV mandate.

To learn more, click on this link: https://james.house.gov/media/press-releases/john-james-pushes-congress-stop-bidens-comply-or-die-electric-vehicle-mandates