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OPPOSITION TO H.J. RES. 136 Speaker: Congresswoman Betty McCollum Publication: Congressional Record Date: 27 September 2024 Subject: American Government  , Electric Vehicles, The Environment
Topic: Environmental Protection Agency |
Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 136, the latest Republican attempt to put polluters over people and stifle innovation in cleaner transportation.
H.J. Res. 136 would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from finalizing the proposed rule to further reduce harmful air pollutant emissions from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles starting with model year 2027. The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, nearly one-third of total pollution. But the transportation sector has been innovating. Electric vehicles (EVs) do not produce any tailpipe emissions, and as such they are safer for our health and environment. The Biden administration is fighting to protect American's right to clean air and a safe climate by addressing dangerous pollution from the transportation sector
I'm proud of the work Democrats did to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These landmark pieces of legislation are already helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help consumers, businesses, and governments make the switch to low and no emission vehicles. Already, Minnesota has received $68 million to build out an EV charging network, $17 million to build out infrastructure for Metro Transit's fleet of low-no busses, and $1 million to help school districts in Minnesota offset the cost of switching to low-no school busses. Not to mention, the tax credits Minnesotans have been able to claim for purchasing a new EV. All of these investments will help reduce climate pollution, improve public health, and save drivers money through reduced fuel and maintenance costs.
Every American deserves access to clean air, yet approximately 72 million Americans are exposed to higher levels of air pollution due to their close proximity to high-traffic trucking routes. These Americans are more likely to be low-income and communities of color. It is estimated that the EPA's new rule will lower respiratory illness, cardiovascular problems, and cases of childhood and adult asthma caused by exposure to dangerous pollution. I am proud of the historic investments Democrats made last Congress to develop cleaner, zero-emission technologies that will protect public health. Passing H.J. Res 136 would abandon the progress we have made to address public health concerns and promote environmental justice in our nation's infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, not only will H.J. Res. 136 harm our public health and contribute to climate pollution, but it would also block the Biden Administration, and any future administration, from taking meaningful action to curb dangerous NO
It should be rejected.