[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E983-E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      OPPOSITION TO H.J. RES. 136

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 2024

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 136, the 
latest Republican attempt to put polluters over people and stifle 
innovation in cleaner transportation.
  H.J. Res. 136 would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from 
finalizing the proposed rule to further reduce harmful air pollutant 
emissions from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles starting with model 
year 2027. The transportation sector is the largest contributor to 
greenhouse gas emissions, nearly one-third of total pollution. But the 
transportation sector has been innovating. Electric vehicles (EVs) do 
not produce any tailpipe emissions, and as such they are safer for our 
health and environment. The Biden administration is fighting to protect 
American's right to clean air and a safe climate by addressing 
dangerous pollution from the transportation sector
  I'm proud of the work Democrats did to pass the Bipartisan 
Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These landmark 
pieces of legislation are already helping to reduce greenhouse gas 
emissions and help consumers, businesses, and governments make the 
switch to low and no emission vehicles. Already, Minnesota has received 
$68 million to build out an EV charging network, $17 million to build 
out infrastructure for Metro Transit's fleet of low-no busses, and $1 
million to help school districts in Minnesota offset the cost of 
switching to low-no school busses. Not to mention, the tax credits 
Minnesotans have been able to claim for purchasing a new EV. All of 
these investments will help reduce climate pollution, improve public 
health, and save drivers money through reduced fuel and maintenance 
costs.
  Every American deserves access to clean air, yet approximately 72 
million Americans are exposed to higher levels of air pollution due to 
their close proximity to high-traffic trucking routes. These Americans 
are more likely to be low-income and communities of color. It is 
estimated that the EPA's new rule will lower respiratory illness, 
cardiovascular problems, and cases of childhood and adult asthma caused 
by exposure to dangerous pollution. I am proud of the historic 
investments Democrats made last Congress to develop cleaner, zero-
emission technologies that will protect public health. Passing H.J. Res 
136

[[Page E984]]

would abandon the progress we have made to address public health 
concerns and promote environmental justice in our nation's 
infrastructure.
  Mr. Speaker, not only will H.J. Res. 136 harm our public health and 
contribute to climate pollution, but it would also block the Biden 
Administration, and any future administration, from taking meaningful 
action to curb dangerous NO<inf>x</inf> pollution light- and medium-
duty vehicles.
  It should be rejected.

                          ____________________