U.S. House votes to repeal Biden auto emissions rules • Nebraska
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to 215-191on Friday reversed an Environmental Protection Agency rule that had tightened air pollution standards from car and truck exhaust pipes.
Eight Democrats joined all but one Republican in voting to approve a resolution under the Congressional Review Act, which would allow Congress to revoke certain executive branch rules without approval regular This was announced in March.
The rule would set out a multi-year plan to reduce passenger vehicle greenhouse gas emission limits by nearly half by 2032.
Democrats Adira Caravio of Colorado, Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Jay Chou of Maine Reed Golden, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Mary Peltola of Alaska and Mary Grusenkamp Perez of Washington voted in support of the resolution.
Pennsylvania Republican Brian Fitzpatrick was the only Republican member to vote against the resolution.
President Joe Biden has pledged to veto the resolution if it reaches his desk.
“The rule sets performance-based standards that manufacturers can use a variety of technologies to meet and avoid more than 7 billion tons of carbon emissions while significantly reducing other emissions,” the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a government policy statement. pollutants. “These standards will provide important health benefits to millions of people across the country. “
“Force-feeding electric cars”
House Republicans on Friday argued that the rule is a mandate for U.S. consumers to buy electric vehicles, commonly known as EVs, which they said still have reliability issues, especially for rural driving and cold climates. For the driver.
“Americans were force-fed into electric cars, and they were fed a lie that driving electric cars would save the planet,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, R-Ark.
Democrats mostly support the rule, which they describe as a common-sense measure aimed at reducing pollutants that contribute to climate change and health problems such as asthma.
Rep. Frank Pallone, the New Jersey Democrat who ranks on the House Energy and Commerce Department, said the rule does not mandate the use of electric vehicles.
“We’re not going to force electric vehicles, we’re not going to force anyone to use electric vehicles. I’ll say that over and over again,” Pallone said. “What we are doing is working to reduce air pollution, and this resolution is a step backwards in addressing dangerous air pollution.”
The resolution’s sponsor, Rep. John James of Michigan, one of the Republicans who made the economic case for the EPA’s rule, said it would result in vehicle costs higher than many Americans can afford.
“As we talk about building affordable cars and building a competitive nation, I think of every hard-working American that Washington has forgotten,” he said.
save money
Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., pushed back, saying the standards would “save the average American driver approximately $6,000 over the life of the vehicle.”
“My colleagues on the other side seem to think this is bad for consumers, but actually it’s good,” she said.
Transportation is the largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions Comply with EPA regulations. The industry accounts for 29% of emissions, with light-duty vehicles covered by the rule accounting for 58% of emissions.
