The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation recently that blocks Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards to reduce carbon emissions. 

H.J. Res. 136, passed Sept. 20 with a 215-191 vote that included eight Democrats voting in favor. It was received by the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. 

The Executive Office of the President released a statement following the passage of the bill that stated the Biden administration strongly opposes H.J. 136. It states Biden will veto the bill if it passes the Senate. 

U.S. Representative John James (R-Mich.-10) introduced the bill in May to block the Biden administration’s electric vehicle (EV) mandates.

The EPA released the new standards to reduce carbon emission 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. 

“Michigan is not afraid of the future, but we demand to be a part of it,” a press release says James said following the vote. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s EPA tailpipe emission rule is another out-of-touch regulation that will crater the Michigan auto industry and decimate our middle-class, and most vulnerable. 

“Folks in my district simply can’t afford to spend an additional $12,000 on an expensive, unreliable EV. I’ve always said, if you want an EV, get an EV. But allowing the Biden-Harris Administration to continue stifling consumer choice will only harm the American people.” 

James said 77,580 manufacturing jobs in Michigan would be at risk of extinction by the “de-facto electric vehicle mandate” 

However, the release from the Biden administration says disapproval of the EPA standards would generate uncertainty for the U.S. auto market and supply chains. It says this would create a risk for more than 250,000 auto jobs added and more than $177 billion of private sector investments in the industry announced since 2021. 

“Passage of H.J. Res. 136 would also artificially constrain consumer vehicle choice, weaken U.S. manufacturing and energy security, and harm public health,” the Biden news release says. 

Biden’s release also adds that the U.S. automakers and autoworkers support the EPA rule and disapproval would jeopardize development in a critical technology sector. It adds that global competitors, such as China, would benefit from the U.S. slowing down development on EVs and batteries. 

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) posted on X that the Biden Administration and EPA is handing China the keys to America’s energy future. 

“Over and over again, the Biden-Harris Environmental Protection Agency has doubled down on its radical rush-to-green energy agenda,” McMorris Rodgers said in a press release. “The EPA’s latest tailpipe emissions rule is not really about reducing air pollution—it’s about forcing Americans to drive electric vehicles. By the EPA’s own estimation, the new rule will effectively require at least two-thirds of all new cars in the United States to be 100 percent electric by 2032—not hybrids, not plug-in hybrids, not hydrogen, not any other clean technology.”

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) praised the House for its passage of the resolution via a press release Tuesday. 

“ASA warns that the EPA’s Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles rule will limit consumers’ choice in powertrain,” the release says. “The proposed transformation in the automobile market will likely subject independent auto repairers to severe hardship.

“These businesses have already made investments under the assumption that EVs will gradually become more prevalent. This sudden change to the market undermines those investments. By 2032, repairers will have needed to spend heavily on EV training for technicians, assure the shop has sufficient commercial property for safe EV storage, purchase new and costly equipment, and more just to remain in business if the EPA’s rule remains intact.”

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) also said it “commends” lawmakers for the passage of the bill. 

“Small businesses depend on reliable and affordable transportation options for their businesses to function,” said Adam Temple, NFIB senior vice president of Advocacy, in a press release.  Not only will this rule significantly increase the purchase prices of new trucks, it will severely impact those living and operating in rural areas where maintenance resources for these vehicles are not widely available

“In attempting to strong-arm vehicle manufacturers into utilizing newer technology to lower emissions, the EPA is effectively forcing an industry shift that will limit consumer choice and make vehicles more expensive and less reliable for small businesses nationwide. NFIB is pleased that lawmakers in the House recognized these concerns and passed H.J.Res. 136.”

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