Senator Joe Manchin (D–WV) is slamming the Biden administration’s new EPA rules around electric vehicles and tailpipe emissions, warning that the ambitious regulations will increase America’s reliance on China for critical minerals.
Manchin issued a statement Tuesday, criticizing the EPA’s plan to ensure that two–thirds of new cars sold will be all–electric by 2030. The Senator argued that the move is nothing more than “market manipulation” and a “Trojan horse” to further cement America’s reliance on Chinese suppliers. He urged Congress to overturn the rules.
“The EPA is lying to Americans with false claims about how their manipulation of the market to boost EVs will help American energy security,” Manchin said. “In reality, this is a Trojan horse. To meet these timelines will mean strengthening our reliance on minerals and technologies controlled by the Chinese. Taken in concert with the clear violation of the [Inflation Reduction Act] to undermine provisions that would actually secure these supply chains, this Administration is taking steps that will only result in a more energy secure and powerful China. I don’t believe that making progress on climate change should come at the expense of our national and energy security. I fully support Congress overturning these dangerous EPA regulations.”
The proposed regulations package would represent a major shift in the automotive industry, and many have raised concerns that the move will ignore widespread desires for affordable and reliable conventional vehicles. Indeed, despite the administration’s claims that the new rules will decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 10 billion tons over the next three decades and produce as much as $1.6 trillion in value, Manchin and other critics argue that the proposed regulations will only serve to benefit the Chinese.
Manchin has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of the Biden administration’s environmental policymaking, slamming the EPA’s move to loosen regulations on the electric vehicle tax credit. The Senator argued that the guidance completely disregards the intent of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was to bring manufacturing back to America and ensure reliable supply chains.
“American tax dollars should not be used to support manufacturing jobs overseas,” Manchin said. “It is a pathetic excuse to spend more taxpayer dollars as quickly as possible and further cedes control to the Chinese Communist Party in the process.”
It remains to be seen whether the proposed regulations will be overturned, but it’s clear that Senator Manchin is determined to stand up for the American people and ensure that the Biden administration’s policies don’t further empower China.
