Central ND News

BISMARCK, N.D. - A group of Republican senators, including John Hoeven, Mike Crapo, and Ted Cruz, are urging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to withdraw its proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks. The lawmakers argue that these standards are an attempt by the Biden administration to impose its climate agenda on American families.

In a joint letter, the senators express their concerns about the proposed standards, which, when combined with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) extreme tailpipe emissions proposal, would effectively mandate electric vehicles (EVs). They argue that this could increase costs, restrict consumer choice, harm U.S. businesses, and compromise energy and national security. Furthermore, they fear that it could hand over the control of the automotive industry to countries like China.

"We believe NHTSA's proposed standards, when coupled with the EPA's distinct, extreme tailpipe emissions proposal, amount to a de facto mandate for EVs that threatens to raise costs and restrict consumer choice, harm U.S. businesses, degrade our energy and national security and hand the keys of our automotive industry over to our adversaries, especially China," the senators wrote.

The letter has garnered support from a total of 44 Republican senators, including James Risch, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, and Marco Rubio, among others. They argue that these proposed standards and regulations go against the interests of American consumers and vehicle choice.

Senator Hoeven's involvement in this effort aligns with the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, legislation that he recently introduced with Senator Crapo. The CARS Act aims to counter the Biden administration's environmental agenda and prevent executive overreach by blocking the implementation of proposed rules and regulations that limit consumer vehicle choice.

The full text of the letter can be found on the Senate website.

This pushback from Republican senators highlights the ongoing debate over emissions standards and the role of electric vehicles in the automotive industry. As the Biden administration continues its efforts to address climate change and promote clean energy, it faces opposition from lawmakers who argue that such policies could have negative consequences for consumers and the economy.