U.S. Senators and Representatives have introduced legislation in the Senate and House to block Biden electric vehicle (EV) mandates made through recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. 

The bills, introduced by U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and U.S. Representatives John James (R-Mich.-10) and Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho-01), announced the filing of Congressional Review Act resolutions, which allows Congress to overturn final rules issued by federal agencies. 

The EPA released new standards to reduce carbon emissions in April. The plan doesn’t require manufacturers to produce EVs to meet the standards, but it is likely the easiest way for them to meet the standards that start in 2027. 

A press release from Sullivan says the rules would require up to two-thirds of new cars and nearly 40% of trucks sold in the U.S. to be EVs in eight years. 

“These regulations are not only disastrous for our economy, but Alaskans know well that EV technology just doesn’t work in rural states—especially those with extreme cold temperatures and communities separated by thousands of miles where reliable transportation is a matter of life and death,” Sullivan said. “Make no mistake, this thinly-disguised attempt to get rid of the internal-combustion engine without congressional authority will only hurt hard-working families across the country, worsen the supply chain crisis, and deepen our reliance on Chinese Communist Party-controlled critical minerals. We’re urging every one of our colleagues to put the interests of American families above the demands of the radical environmentalists, and support our CRA resolutions overturning these ludicrous rules to ensure Americans and Alaskans continue to have access to the vehicles of their choice that actually work.”

Ricketts added the EPA’s rule would impact low-income and rural families the most. 

While James said it would “crater” the Michigan auto industry and “decimate” the middle class. 

“This is a de-facto electric vehicle mandate that will put all 77,580 manufacturing jobs in MI-10 at great risk of extinction,” James said. “I am proud to lead this effort to prevent Biden’s rule from ravaging the livelihoods of thousands in Michigan and across the country.”

National Federation of Independent Business issued a release saying it supports legislation aimed at stopping the electrical vehicle mandate. 

It said 96% of respondents in a member ballet expressed their belief that the federal government should not restrict purchasing consumer products like gas-powered vehicles. 

“NFIB applauds Senator Ricketts and Representative James for introducing this resolution to overturn the Biden Administration’s attempt to create a de facto electric vehicle mandate, which would limit consumer choices and increase costs for small businesses, “ a statement from NFIB’s Principal of Government Relations Andrea McGee says. “NFIB represents approximately 300,000 small and independent businesses across the country, many of which are based in rural areas. These rural areas lack the infrastructure necessary to accommodate electric vehicles. Small business owners like plumbers, electricians, and landscapers use their vehicles, including pick-up trucks and some vans, as offices on wheels, and any disruption to their day for long charging times is lost business that impacts their families and employees. This burdensome rule will increase costs for small businesses at a time when inflation continues to be the top problem affecting small businesses.”

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