Frank Pallone: “I hear the Republicans constantly talk about choice, a choice of vehicles. Let me just stress again that nobody is…”

“I hear the Republicans constantly talk about choice, a choice of vehicles. Let me just stress again that nobody is taking away your gas- powered vehicle. We are actually providing you the choice, and the States that are adopting the California standards are providing you a choice of vehicles because if you pass this bill, then you are basically insisting that people have to have gas-powered vehicles because nobody's going to develop EVs. The fact of the matter is, contrary to my colleague from Indiana's remarks, people are buying EVs, more people than ever. Even Republicans are buying electric vehicles. This bill will discourage any manufacturing of hybrid or electric vehicles because there will be no incentives for the automakers to invest in the production of hybrids or EVs, and they would simply not be available. People won't have a choice of a cleaner car either because of better emission standards if it is gas powered or because they might want to buy a hybrid or an EV. The other argument that is being made here is about China, and I have to dispute that, as well. Republicans are making the claim that this bill protects America from playing into China's hands. I totally disagree. Basically, Republicans think that China is leading in the EV space. Rather than relying on American industry and American ingenuity to compete with China, Republicans think we should step aside. They basically say we will just stand down.…”