Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) in introducing a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn a new Biden-Harris administration regulation that would effectively ban gas-powered automobiles and compel American consumers to purchase electric vehicles (EVs).

This final rule from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when combined with the Administration’s significant increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) civil penalties and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) vehicle emissions rule, is expected to raise car prices, limit consumer choice, and impact U.S. auto workers.

“The Biden-Harris administration is once again showing a complete disregard for the American taxpayers’ wallets,” said Senator Tuberville. “These new standards eliminate choice for consumers while forcing them to pay for Democrats’ crazy climate agenda. I am proud to join my colleagues in this effort to make sure EVs remain an option, not a requirement, for hardworking American families.”

Joining Senators Tuberville and Cruz are U.S. Senators John Barasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis(R-WY ), Markwayne Mullin(R-OK ), Pete Ricketts(R-NE ), Jim Risch(R-ID ), Rick Scott(R-FL ), Dan Sullivan(R-AK ), and Roger Wicker(R-MS ) in cosponsoring the legislation.

The CRA challenges the CAFE standards which can only be met by electric vehicles, not internal combustion engines. These new standards would require passenger cars to achieve fuel efficiency rates that exceed what current hybrid vehicles can reach. This rule effectively bans gas-powered vehicles as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to implement its climate agenda on American families.

On June 24, 2024, NHTSA published its rule on CAFE standards for passenger vehicles and light trucks for Model Years 2027–2032 and heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans for Model Years 2030–2035. The purpose of CAFE standards is to reduce energy consumption by increasing fuel economy of cars and light trucks. The standards set by this rule will require an average fleet-wide fuel economy of 65.1 miles per gallon by 2031 despite the estimated average fuel economy for 2022 model year vehicles being 26.4 miles per gallon. Due to these regulations, automakers will need to more than double fuel efficiency by 2031 or face increased regulatory penalties and non-compliance fees.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.

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