The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on July 27 voted 26-22 to approve legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. John Joyce (R-PA), Bob Latta (R-OH), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) that would amend the Clean Air Act to prevent eliminating the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines.
Rep. Joyce on March 8 sponsored the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, H.R. 1435, alongside 59 Republican original cosponsors, including Reps. Latta and Obernolte. The bill now advances to the full U.S. House of Representatives for action.
“I’m proud to see the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act pass through the Energy and Commerce Committee and look forward to its passage in the House,” Rep. Joyce said.
H.R. 1435 was introduced in response to the California Air Resource Board’s decision to effectively ban the sale of new, internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 in an effort to force automakers to stop developing and producing gas-powered motor vehicles, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“California regulators shouldn’t have the power to determine what vehicles are sold to families in Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Joyce. “One state should not be able to set national policy and Americans should not be forced into making purchases they are unable to afford.”
If enacted, H.R.1435 also would restrict the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing waivers that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines, the summary says.
“The federal government should not be picking winners and losers that determine which kind of cars Americans drive, whether that’s a gas and diesel car or an electric vehicle,” Rep. Latta said. “Yet, if the EPA grants California’s waiver request to ban internal combustion engine vehicles, Americans across the country will lose the ability to choose the vehicle that works best for them and their families.
“This is an issue of preserving the rights of the American consumer and allowing free markets to flourish, which is why I’m pleased the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced our bill today to prevent the EPA from granting this radical waiver request,” added Rep. Latta. “I am now looking forward to seeing this bill clear its next legislative hurdle: a vote before the full U.S. House of Representatives.”
Rep. Obernolte pointed out that if California bans all gas-powered vehicles, the state’s cost of living will increase, electrical blackouts and brownouts would become more frequent, and commuting families in his California district could suffer.
“Our bill will restrict the EPA from issuing the waiver California needs to execute its proposed ban, and by doing so will ensure all American consumers have choices in their transportation options,” he said.
H.R. 1435 currently has 84 GOP cosponsors.