Two at-risk Senate Democrats vote with GOP to kill Biden EV mandate

Two of Senate Democrats’ most vulnerable incumbents this fall were among those who voted Thursday to roll back the Biden administration’s electric vehicle mandate for passenger cars and trucks.

Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio were among four Democratic Caucus members — along with independent Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin III of West Virginia — to vote with all Republicans. The measure would dismantle an Environmental Protection Agency rule to phase out two-thirds of new gas-powered cars by 2032.

The final tally was 52-46 and did not pass because it required 60 votes. The vote was held as part of a deal made last month between Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Senate Finance Committee ranking member Mike Crapo, Idaho Republican, in exchange for not delaying government funding.

The EPA regulation is a major component of President Biden’s climate change agenda and requires automakers to severely reduce their tailpipe emissions by selling roughly 56% all-electric and 13% plug-in hybrids by 2032. The U.S. isn’t on track to reach such targets until 2047, according to recent EV data.

Mr. Tester has previously cited concerns about forcing the industry to make such a drastic shift with government regulation rather than marketplace competition.  

Mr. Brown cited similar concerns, in addition to saying the administration should put more attention toward combating Chinese EVs in the U.S. market. 

“I don’t tell anyone what kind of car they should drive,” he said in a statement. “I just want more cars built in Ohio by workers making good middle class wages. The administration should focus on banning Chinese EVs – which pose an existential threat to the American auto industry.” 

Neither Ms. Sinema nor Mr. Manchin are seeking reelection. Mr. Manchin was a co-sponsor of the legislation.

Opponents of the EPA policy will get another stab at nixing it under the Congressional Review Act, which will only require a simple majority but would ultimately be vetoed by President Biden if passed by Congress.