Kansas, Nebraska senators back bill to counter Biden administration EV mandate

U.S. Senators from Kansas, Nebraska, and other states are pushing back against the Biden administration’s rules to curtail use of the internal combustion engine.

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Nebraska, were among those who introduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act. 

The bill is meant to “counter the Biden Administration’s radical environmental agenda and executive overreach by preventing the implementation of a proposed rule and other regulations that essentially seek to eliminate the internal combustion engine,” according to Marshall’s office.

Marshall said the Biden administration’s proposed rules would hurt American jobs and people.

“The Biden Administration climate crusaders are so blinded by their radical agenda that they are willing to implement rules that destroy consumer choice, ship high-paying jobs to our adversaries, and take away American workers’ livelihoods,” Marshall said. “Enough is enough. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to fight against the Administration’s plan to push American manufacturing jobs to China and fight for consumer choice and more affordable prices for all Americans.”

Ricketts said the Biden administration wants the governor to pick winners and losers.

“The EPA cannot continue to pick winners and losers,” Ricketts said. “This legislation ensures the Biden administration can’t prioritize their radical left agenda over affordable and reliable internal combustion engines. I’ll always fight to protect Nebraskans’ ability to choose what is best for them and their families.”

The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in July but did not have a companion bill until this one was introduced. 

The Senate version has drawn support from most of the chamber’s Republicans, plus U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, who represents a state known for its coal production.

The bill comes in response to a draft rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency in April, titled “Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Year 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles.” 

It sets tougher emission standards for pollutants and greenhouse gases for certain vehicles. 

“This rule is the most aggressive tailpipe emissions proposal ever crafted and a de facto mandate for mass production of electric vehicles (EVs),” the release said. “The EPA has projected that, if finalized, over two-thirds of all new vehicles could be electric by 2032.”

The average EV price costs over $17,000 more than the average gas-powered vehicle, the release said. 

The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, which these Senators support, would do the following:

• Would prohibit the EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing its proposed emissions rule;
• Would prohibit the use of authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations that mandate the use of any specific technology or that limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine type. This includes any regulation prescribed on or after January 1, 2021;
• Would require the EPA to update any regulations since January 1, 2021, that result in the limited availability of new vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine within two years; and
• Would end the EPA’s radical agenda, which is driving up costs for people and handing the keys of America’s auto industry to China.

Environmental groups applaud the Biden administration rules and argue they are necessary to fight climate change.