Matsui, DeSaulnier, Huffman Push for Amendment in Interior-Environment Appropriations Bill to Prevent EPA from Weakening Fuel Economy and Auto Emissions Standards

Press Release

Reps. Doris Matsui (CA-06), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), and Jared Huffman (CA-02) filed an amendment this week to the House Interior-Environment Appropriations bill that would block any funding for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) current effort to weaken light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The amendment was not made in order by the House Rules Committee.

"It's unfortunate that Republicans aren't taking this amendment seriously," said Congresswoman Matsui. "Both industry and consumers would benefit from a strong, national standard, rather than the piecemeal and backwards-thinking approach that the EPA seems to be taking with their current rulemaking process. Despite Republican efforts to block this amendment, I'll continue to work to maintain standards that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect public health, and promote innovation."

"In California we are already witnessing the success of current motor vehicle standards, and we have achieved our greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020 ahead of schedule," said Congressman DeSaulnier, who served on the California Air Resources Board from 1997 to 2006. "Our amendment would have prevented the Trump Administration from carrying out a drastic rollback of motor vehicle standards, which have helped to reduce emissions and set the American auto-industry on the road to staying globally competitive while protecting public health. The economy of the future demands a low carbon auto industry, and we will continue fighting efforts to weaken environmental standards."

In March of 2018, Congresswoman Matsui introduced legislation to preserve the current standards, which have also been adopted by the State of California.

Source