WASHINGTON— Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted in favor of the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act. This legislation modifies the waiver process under the Clean Air Act related to state emission control standards for new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines.  

“Preserving consumer choice is necessary to maintaining competition in the automotive markets,” said Rep. Simpson, a cosponsor of this bill. “The proposal we’ve seen in California to ban the sale of vehicles with combustion engines would severely damage our automobile market and hurt American workers and jobs. This kind of heavy-handed government intervention sets a dangerous precedent, and I’m pleased to put a stop to it.” 

Under current law, states are preempted from adopting or enforcing emission control standards for new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines unless the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a waiver authorizing a state to adopt such standards if certain requirements are met. The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act provides that state standards that directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines are not eligible for waivers.  

The bill also prohibits the EPA from determining that any state standards amended after the bill's enactment are within the scope of an existing waiver. Additionally, this legislation requires the EPA to revoke waivers granted between January 1, 2022, and the date of enactment of this bill if the standards directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines.  

The measure was approved with a vote of 222-190. The full text of the bill can be found here.