WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) today voted in favor of legislation to repeal California’s EPA waiver allowing them to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035.
“Today, I voted to prevent California and the states that follow its’ standard from effectively banning gas-powered cars by 2035. Michigan is the auto capital of the world, and as Michigan’s U.S. Senator, I have a special responsibility to stand up for the more than one million Michiganders whose livelihoods depend on the U.S. auto industry.
“As of today, not a single one of these states is anywhere near complying with California’s requirements, and some are even reversing course on their own, such as Maryland and Virginia. This standard means car manufacturers, including the Big Three, will be forced to eventually stop the sale of gas-powered cars in these states or pay competitors, particularly Tesla, for credits to remain compliant.
“Those are my concerns on the substance of the bill. Unfortunately, the way Senate Republicans brought this vote to the floor will have longstanding implications for how we change and make laws in the U.S. Senate. That is why I voted at least 11 times against the Republican attempts to change the Senate rules and bring this provision to the floor.
“To be clear, I continue to believe that American workers – Michigan workers – should be making the vehicles of the future. That’s why, over the last six years, I championed and voted for concrete policies to accelerate electric vehicle manufacturing in the U.S. – from tax incentives for consumers and manufacturers, to funding for EV charging infrastructure.
“I stand by every one of those votes and have defended them, despite taking tens of millions in attack ads because of those votes.
“Unfortunately, House Republicans last night gutted those incentives for EV manufacturing. And let’s make no bones about it, if this becomes law, China is poised to dominate that global marketplace for the foreseeable future at our expense.”
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