John Sarbanes: “I don't think there really is a good powerful rationale to object to H.R. 51.”

It is important to be clear that EPA's proposed standards are reasonable, performance-based emissions standards and constitute neither a national electric vehicle mandate nor an internal combustion ban.

Congress gave EPA this role more than 50 years ago under the Clean Air Act and reaffirmed that responsibility in 2005 under the Energy Policy Act.

It's a national environmental treasure. It's a regional economic engine. It's been one of my top priorities since I've come to Congress.

We would like to thank Rep. Sarbanes for introducing this important piece of bipartisan legislation