Leader Rodgers Calls on NHTSA to Ease the Burden of Inflation and Supply Chain Issues for Americans

Press Release

Following announcements this week from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding new vehicle fuel economy standards and penalties on automakers, House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) urged the Administration to ease the burden for millions of Americans that has been brought on by high inflation and the supply chain crisis.

"Inflation and supply chain issues continue to cause shortages and drive-up costs across the board for American families. Automakers are pausing production at plants over semiconductor chip shortages. Burdensome permitting obligations and overregulation have driven our semiconductor industry to the Pacific Rim. The prices for new vehicles continue to increase to reach new all-time highs. NHTSA's new fuel economy standards will only add to the cost of new cars, depriving people of safe, affordable vehicles, at a time when they are already struggling. It also enforces burdensome penalties on manufacturers--who are finding it difficult to keep up with high demand and inventory shortages as it is--which will only increase prices further as these 'penalties' are passed along to the consumers. Keeping the cost of new vehicles high will force American families to continue driving older, less safe models.

"Improving fuel efficiency and making our roads safer are important goals. Our priority should be to ease the burdens for Americans and American companies. If the Biden Administration is serious about road safety, affordability, and securing a cleaner American energy future, it should work to secure our supply chains, reduce regulatory burdens, and unleash American energy."

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