By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution (H.J. Res. 136), invalidating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) tailpipe emissions regulation. Under the leadership of the lead sponsor, Rep. John James (R-MI), the bill passed with bipartisan support (215 – 191), with 8 Democrats joining [TC1] their Republican colleagues in voting for the SEMA-supported resolution. The CRA pushes back against the EPA's strictest motor-vehicle emissions standards ever enacted, which requires up to 83% of new vehicles sold by 2032 to be forms of electric vehicles (EVs) in order for automakers to comply.
The resolution now moves to the U.S. Senate [ES2], where Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) has introduced a companion resolution (S.J. Res. 75), which has garnered bipartisan support from 48 cosponsors. Both H.J. Res. 136 and S.J. Res. 75 now await consideration in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If enacted into law, the resolution would require the EPA to start over on its tailpipe emissions rulemaking, providing an opportunity for SEMA and other organizations to advocate for a technology-neutral rulemaking without EV mandates. The Senate has until September 30 to take action on the resolution.
We need the Senate to consider the CRA before they adjourn on September 30 for recess before the 2024 election. Click here to ask your U.S. senators to support S.J. Res. 75 and ensure that Americans can continue deciding on the best vehicle technology for their families and protect the interests of the specialty automotive aftermarket industry.
SEMA thanks Rep. James for advocating that the EPA embrace technology-neutral policies in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions in transportation, ensuring fairness across all vehicle technologies. The specialty-equipment industry has a forward-looking vision that embraces new technology to make vehicles cleaner and more efficient, including hydrogen, electric and alternative fuels, and continues to improve the internal-combustion engine (ICE).
SEMA supports Americans' ability to choose the technology that powers their motor vehicles, which is critical to thousands of small specialty automotive aftermarket businesses nationwide. The specialty-equipment industry supports more than 1.3 million U.S. automotive jobs and contributes $337 billion annually to the American economy. Notably, one-third of consumer spending on performance and accessory products is allocated to upgrading ICE vehicles and drive trains, while 25% of SEMA manufacturers produce ICE-related components.
TAKE ACTION
For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Federal Government Affairs Tiffany Cipoletti at tiffanyc@sema.org.