Lafayette Reporter

Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, along with Sens. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska and Dan Sullivan of Alaska, have introduced two joint resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to block the Biden administration's rules for electric vehicles. The resolutions aim to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from enforcing mandates that would require U.S. car manufacturers to significantly increase the production of electric vehicles.

Kennedy expressed his concerns, stating, “Most Louisianians and Americans can’t afford Pres. Biden’s scheme to eliminate gas-powered cars. His administration’s unfair EV mandates benefit Chinese manufacturing by butchering America’s auto industry. Congress must move fast to stop these rules from punishing American workers and families.”

Ricketts criticized President Biden's EV mandate, highlighting its potential negative impact on low-income families and rural communities. He stated, “President Biden’s EV mandate is delusional. This rule will make it harder for low-income families to buy a car or rural families to get to their jobs. Our bipartisan legislation will keep costs down, defend consumer choice, and protect us against becoming more dependent on the CCP.”

Sullivan also raised concerns about the impact of the regulations, particularly in rural states like Alaska. He emphasized that the rules would hurt hard-working families, worsen the supply chain crisis, and deepen reliance on Chinese Communist Party-controlled critical minerals. Sullivan urged colleagues to support the resolutions overturning the rules to ensure Americans have access to vehicles that meet their needs.

In the House of Representatives, Reps. John James of Michigan and Russ Fulcher of Idaho have introduced similar resolutions of disapproval.

The joint resolutions of disapproval aim to address the EPA's rules, including "Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium Duty Vehicles" and "Greenhouse Gas Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles—Phase 3." These rules would require a significant increase in the production of electric vehicles by U.S. manufacturers.

This move by Kennedy, Ricketts, Sullivan, and their colleagues comes after previous efforts to challenge the Biden administration's initiatives related to EV mandates and fuel economy standards. Kennedy has been vocal in calling for the withdrawal of such standards and blocking funding for EV mandates in appropriations bills.

The joint resolutions of disapproval for light and medium vehicles as well as heavy-duty vehicles are now available for review and consideration by Congress.