Joe Biden has a very aggressive climate change agenda, which includes ramming electric vehicles (EVs) down the throats of the American people.
That agenda took a massive shot in the gut this week when three Democrat senators voted with the GOP to block critical rule to Biden’s EV agenda.
Talking Points…
- Biden EV agenda
- Democrats fall in with GOP
- Analysis
Biden had a new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rule at stake, figuring that with Democrats holding the gavel in the Senate, this rule would not be challenged. However, that did not happen. Three senators on the left side of the aisle voted against the new rule, defeating it 53-47, in what has to be considered a massive loss for Biden.
Had the rule gone into effect, it would have required local transportation agencies to submit emissions reduction plans for federally funded roads in their states. The rule was first proposed in November 2023, but Republicans have been pushing against the legislation since it was first introduced.
Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jon Tester (D-MT) voted with the GOP to defeat the rule. Additionally, Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-VT), who caucuses with the Democrats, voted against the rule.
After the GOP defeated the rule, Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) commented on the issue, stating:
“Few things are more frustrating in government than unelected bureaucrats asserting authority they don’t have and foisting federal mediocrity on the excellence of states.
“The Senate will take up my bipartisan resolution that overturns the Biden administration’s obviously illegal rule that requires state departments of transportation to measure CO2 tailpipe emissions than set declining targets for vehicles traveling on the highway systems of their perspective states.”
Cramer has been critical of this rule since it was first introduced, stating that the idea of being able to regulate emissions in rural states is “fundamentally unworkable.” He is also among those who believe these rules are being put in place to force the sales of EVs on the American people.
Congress is not the only place where this agenda is being challenged, as Biden has had significant difficulties getting this rule past court challenges. This particular rule has been challenged twice in court and defeated both times.
Not only that, but car manufacturers are reporting staggering losses related to the production of EVs. For instance, Ford reported a $700 million loss for its EV program during the first quarter of the year. While losing money on a new venture is nothing new, I don’t necessarily think we can call EVs a new venture any longer.
The fact of the matter is that most Americans want nothing to do with electric vehicles for a variety of reasons. They are far more expensive than gasoline-powered vehicles, and there is also the challenge of being able to travel longer distances driving an EV. Even the best EVs in terms of distance can only travel about 300 miles before needing a new charge, so if you are in an area without charging stations, you get stuck. Until a significant charging network is in place and the cost of these vehicles goes down, do not expect the American people to fall in line with Biden on this.
