A resolution known as the Congressional Review Act (CRA) was introduced on Wednesday by Congressional Republicans, spearheaded by Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Rep. John James (R-Mich.). The resolution aims to repeal the tailpipe emissions regulations implemented by the Biden administration.
In a statement, James said, “All 77,580 manufacturing jobs in [Michigan’s 10th District] will be greatly at risk of extinction because of this de-facto mandate for electric vehicles.” “It is an honor to lead this campaign to prevent thousands of people’s livelihoods in Michigan and across the country from being destroyed by Biden’s rule.”
The proposed rule, which the Biden administration unveiled in March, aims to guarantee that by 2032, the majority of cars and light-duty trucks sold in the United States will be hybrid or entirely electric. Only 7.6% of all American car sales were electric last year; according to the rule’s timeline, that percentage would rise to 56% by the early 2010s.
The American fear of electric cars and their possible effects on auto industry jobs has been exploited by the former president Trump, especially in Michigan, which is the center of American auto manufacturing and will be a crucial battleground state in 2024. Though it has consistently warned that the process of switching to electric vehicles must ensure the preservation of autoworker jobs, the United Auto Workers union has endorsed President Biden for reelection.
In an effort to repeal environmental regulations implemented by the Biden administration, the Republican-controlled House majority has passed several CRA resolutions. A rule from the executive branch may be repealed by a simple majority of votes in both chambers under the CRA.
The Democratic-majority Senate has subsequently passed a number of these resolutions, usually with the help of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a regular opponent of the administration’s energy and environmental policies.
Congress has so far passed CRAs that target the Endangered Species Act, the Biden heavy-duty truck regulations, and the suspension of tariffs on solar panel components. Manchin declared on Tuesday that he would support a second CRA resolution that would challenge a Biden rule regarding the reform of energy permits.