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Womack Votes to Protect Consumers, Block Biden's Forced EV Transition

Washington, December 6, 2023

Washington, DC—December 6, 2023…Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) voted for HR 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act. This legislation stops the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) forced Electric Vehicle (EV) transition. 

Congressman Womack said, "The American consumer should be in the driver's seat when choosing which car is right for their families—not the Biden Administration. Electric Vehicles remain more expensive than the average car and less practical for many Arkansans. The CARS Act pumps the breaks on the Administration's reckless, rush-to-green agenda, which is hurting auto jobs, driving up costs, and strengthening China's foothold in the American-made auto industry."

Bill breakdown:

  • Protects consumer choice in auto sales by prohibiting the EPA from implementing the "Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium Duty Vehicles," published May 5, 2023.
    1. The EPA's Electric Vehicle (EV) mandate plan requires roughly 70% of new car and truck sales to be "zero tailpipe emission" in less than 10 years – a de facto ban on liquid-fuel-powered cars and trucks.
    1. EVs are not an optimal choice for all drivers, practically and financially. EVs do not meet many constituencies' transportation needs, and most Americans simply cannot afford them (EVs are an average $13k more expensive than other non-luxury vehicles).
  • In conjunction with the Administration's refusal to bolster our domestic critical mineral processing, Biden's EV mandate is a gift to China, which owns 78% of the world's capacity for manufacturing EV batteries.

In November, Womack joined 150 of his Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell encouraging the bicameral leaders to enact a provision within the FY24 Interior and Environment appropriations bill that prevents taxpayer funds from being used to finalize or implement the EPA's recent proposed rule that would effectively require 2/3 of all new vehicles be EVs in less than 10 years.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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