Pallone Leads Opposition to Republicans' Extreme Attack on EPA and the Clean Air Act on the House Floor

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) had the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the House Floor today in opposition to H.J. Res. 136, Republicans' resolution invoking the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to fully repeal the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rule setting more protective air pollution standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles:

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this Republican joint resolution – a resolution taken straight from Trump’s Project 2025 playbook. The resolution invokes the Congressional Review Act to fully repeal the EPA's rule setting new protective air pollution standards for Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles.   

This resolution is yet another Republican effort to attack the Clean Air Act and roll back commonsense air pollution protections. It puts the profits of corporate polluters over the health and safety of the American people. Not only is this CRA ripped right out of Trump’s extreme Project 2025 playbook, it’s just the latest attempt by House Republicans to do the bidding of their Big Oil allies and prevent the EPA from protecting public health and the environment.

Instead of focusing on funding the government, which is set to expire at the end of this month, Republicans are wasting time by bringing up this resolution they know has zero chance at becoming law. Even Senate Republicans have publicly admitted that they have abandoned their strategy of using the CRA this Congress. So, one really has to ask the question – what are we doing here? This is yet another example of Republicans failing to be serious about governing or working to implement policies that actually benefit the American people. 

Americans have the right to clean air and a safe climate, and EPA’s clean vehicle rule would put us on the road to achieve those rights. The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, making up nearly one-third of total pollution in the United States. This pollution affects more than 130 million Americans who live in counties with unhealthy air. Even worse, air pollution is associated with over 100,000 premature deaths in our nation every year. Thankfully, EPA is working to address this dangerous air pollution with the tools Congress gave it. 

EPA’s clean vehicle standards will avoid 7.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide between 2027 and 2055 – that’s equivalent to four times the emissions from the entire transportation sector in 2021. This incredible air pollution reduction will result in tangible benefits for Americans across country. The rule is projected to yield approximately $100 billion in net benefits each year.

Clean vehicle standards are also a win for consumers and our economy. EPA projects U.S. auto manufacturing employment growth of up to 188,000 jobs in 2032 thanks to this rule. That is on top of the existing 200,000 jobs that have already been added in clean vehicle manufacturing since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration. Once the standards take effect, American families are expected to save an average of $6,000 over the lifetime of a light-duty vehicle, including fuel, operating, and maintenance costs.

Today we are going to hear a lot of false claims from my Republican colleagues. They will falsely say this rule is a mandate. Let me be perfectly clear – EPA’s standards are not an EV mandate, they are technology-neutral and performance-based, as required by the Clean Air Act. Auto manufacturers have the flexibility to meet the standards with a wide range of clean vehicle technologies, like hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell, internal combustion engines, and full battery electric. Manufacturers can choose the best options for them and to meet the needs of their customers. 

EPA worked closely with stakeholders to ensure that the final rule is ambitious and achievable, and benefits all Americans. That is why EPA’s final clean vehicle rule is supported by a diverse coalition of autoworkers, automakers, public health, and environmental groups.

The Biden-Harris Administration’s rule accelerates the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies that will offer expanded, better choices for consumers, lower costs, and make sure the United States dominates the next century’s worth of clean technology.

This Republican resolution reverses course, putting all of this at risk, and replacing it with nothing. What’s more, it also prevents any future administration from taking similar action. That’s a recipe for a disaster for our economy, the American people, and our climate.

I urge all my colleagues to vote no on H.J. Res. 136 and I reserve the balance of my time.

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