South Michigan News

On July 27, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce voted to advance two pieces of legislation introduced by Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05): Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act and Proper Leadership to Align Networks (PLAN) for Broadband Act. The CARS Act would protect consumer choice and ensure the accessibility of affordable vehicles by blocking the Biden administration's new Electric Vehicle (EV) rule. The PLAN for Broadband Act, which was included in the NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2023, would establish a national strategy to close the digital divide.

Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule that would set stringent emissions standards for criteria pollutants and greenhouses gasses for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles. The EPA has projected that these standards would force over two-thirds of all new vehicles to be electric in the next nine years. The CARS Act would prevent this executive overreach and ensure the accessibility of affordable vehicles by prohibiting the Biden administration from implementing these unrealistic emissions standards. It would also prevent the EPA from implementing any future regulations that would mandate certain technologies or limit the availability of vehicles based on engine type. 

"At a recent hearing, a Biden administration official admitted the EPA did not factor in affordability, functionality or availability when proposing the multi-pollutant tailpipe emissions rule," said Rep. Walberg. "The Energy and Commerce Committee vote today indicates that government overreach will not be accepted, especially when it comes at great cost to the American people."

Proper Leadership to Align Networks (PLAN) for Broadband Act

The PLAN for Broadband Act is based upon a Government Accountability Office report that found that federal broadband efforts are oftentimes fragmented and duplicative. While enough federal funding exists to bridge the digital divide, a national broadband strategy is needed to avoid duplicative efforts and ensure that funds are available to reach the truly unserved and underserved areas. The PLAN for Broadband Act would require the Administration to develop and implement a national strategy to close the digital divide. The PLAN for Broadband Act was reported by the Energy and Commerce committee as part of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Reauthorization Act of 2023.

"We're at a critical junction in our efforts to deploy broadband, and the PLAN for Broadband Act implements recommendations from a non-partisan study that indicates we have the funding to bridge the digital divide but need a national strategy to increase efficiency and cut wasteful and duplicative efforts," said Rep. Walberg. "In this digital age, where we depend on connectivity for health, education, employment, and so much more, we must make sure no Americans are left behind."

On Wednesday, the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce also considered another bill introduced by Congressman Walberg, the SAFE CAR Act, as a provision included in the Safely Ensuring Lives Future Deployment and Research in Vehicle Evolution (SELF DRIVE) Act. The SAFE CAR Act would prevent Chinese Communist Party-affiliated companies from testing autonomous vehicles in America, as these vehicles collect data on American roadways and people.

Original source can be found here.