Senate Votes to Hinder U.S. EV Transition by Blocking “Buy American” Rollback for EV Charging Stations
White House threatens to veto the repeal of the rule in hopes of accelerating the EV transition
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate today voted 50 to 48 to block a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rule aimed at bypassing the U.S. Government’s “Buy American” requirements for electric vehicle (EV) chargers. The resolution, under the Congressional Review Act, was introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). The White House today threatened to veto the resolution. In response, Chelsea Hodgkins, senior EV advocate with Public Citizen’s Climate Program, issued the following statement:
“The FHWA waiver is a critical tool for supporting American manufacturers of EV chargers while domestic supply chains are being built. Blocking the rule would only delay the EV transition in the U.S., leaving American consumers behind and hurting workers and industry at a pivotal moment.
“Senator Rubio’s effort to slow the inevitable EV transition is a ploy to prop up Big Oil’s profits at the expense of other U.S. industries and American families. The EV transition is expanding American industry and making us healthier by curbing air pollution. This move is a clear attack against what is best for our climate, workers, and Americans.”
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