Cathy McMorris Rodgers - Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
Cathy McMorris Rodgers - Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers has voiced criticism following the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to grant California a waiver for its ban on gas-powered vehicles. This move comes after the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, led by Representative John Joyce.
Rodgers stated, "By granting this waiver, the Biden EPA is further proving how out of touch it is from not only the reality of what people want, but also from what is possible." She argued that California's plan to transition to electric vehicles could increase costs for consumers and strain grid reliability. "Just this week, NERC reported that more than half of the nation is at risk of blackouts," she noted. Rodgers emphasized that California should not dictate vehicle choices nationwide, urging the Senate to take action on H.R. 1435.
The House approved H.R. 1435 in September 2023 with a vote of 222-190. The legislation aims to preserve consumer choice in vehicle purchases by preventing bans on gas-powered cars.
Rodgers highlighted her stance earlier this year during a legislative hearing titled “Driving Affordability: Preserving People’s Freedom to Buy Affordable Vehicles and Fuel,” where she asserted that H.R. 1435 ensures access to practical and affordable cars.
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