House GOP to force vote on bill reversing California's EV mandate: report

On Thursday, House Republicans will reportedly force a floor vote on a bill that would prohibit California and other Democrat-led states from implementing electric vehicle (EV) mandates, including those that ban the sale of vehicles with an internal combustion engine.

According to Fox News, the House will vote on HR 1435, known as the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, which was written by Rep. John Joyce (R-PA). If enacted, the bill, which was first introduced in March, would stop Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing waivers to states seeking to ban or limit gas-powered vehicles.

The bill was passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee in July.

Due to the Clean Air Act, the EPA has the power to give the Golden State a waiver in order to implement stricter emissions standards than even the federal government.

The Trump administration previously revoked the state's authority to pursue standards that were in opposition to the federal government’s rules but in March 2022, Biden’s EPA reinstated California’s authority under the Clean Air Act to implement its own emission standards and EV sales mandates, that also allowed other states to adopt California's rules if they so choose.
 
That August, the California Air Resources Board announced new regulations banning the production of gas-powered cars, and mandating electric cars, by 2035. 17 other states have laws that link their vehicle emissions standards to California’s, which could impact 40 percent of the total amount of US car purchases.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), introduced a companion bill in the Senate which is currently working way through the chamber.

Joyce told the outlet on Monday, "Electric vehicles cannot meet the demands of my constituents. Coupling the mountains with the harsh winters and the intense heat of summers makes driving an electric vehicle both unreliable and ultimately unrealistic for many of my constituents."

Joyce added, "It is not an anti-electric vehicle legislation. For those who would like an electric vehicle, they should have the option of buying one. But it doesn't help my constituents — it doesn't help in any district to require an individual to buy an EV regardless of what they want and regardless of the demands of the market."

"Voting against HR 1435 is essentially a vote to ban gas-powered cars. My hope is that this legislation passes with a bipartisan majority and that we show, from Congress, and that the American people hear loud and clear that we are committed to serving them and not serving them with mandates.

"Consumer choice needs to be protected, and HR 1435 will do that."