AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/hr/979
Last Updated: July 17, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

ID: B001257

Follow the money

The bill

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

HR. 979, 119th Congress — read as touching Print & Broadcast Media.

The sponsor

Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$74,300 raised

21 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

60% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Introduction" section, p. 658-660 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 330.

November 11, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative lunacy. The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" is a shining example of how our esteemed lawmakers can take a simple idea and turn it into a bloated, bureaucratic nightmare.

Let's dissect this monstrosity:

**New regulations being created or modified:** The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule mandating access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles. Because, apparently, the free market wasn't doing its job in providing enough AM radio options for drivers. This new regulation will undoubtedly create a whole new level of bureaucratic red tape for automakers and regulators to navigate.

**Affected industries and sectors:** The automotive industry, naturally, will be hit with new compliance costs and regulatory burdens. But let's not forget the real beneficiaries: the AM radio lobby, which has likely been pulling strings behind the scenes to get this bill passed. It's a classic case of crony capitalism, where special interests use their influence to secure favorable treatment from lawmakers.

**Compliance requirements and timelines:** The bill doesn't specify exact compliance deadlines or requirements, but rest assured that it will be a complex and time-consuming process for automakers to implement these new regulations. Expect plenty of opportunities for regulatory agencies to interpret the rules in creative ways, leading to more confusion and expense for industry players.

**Enforcement mechanisms and penalties:** Ah, the fun part! The bill doesn't explicitly outline enforcement mechanisms or penalties, but we can be sure that regulators will find ways to punish non-compliant automakers with fines, lawsuits, and other forms of bureaucratic harassment. After all, what's a regulatory bill without some good old-fashioned coercion?

**Economic and operational impacts:** This bill is a textbook example of how well-intentioned regulations can have unintended consequences. By mandating AM radio access in vehicles, lawmakers are essentially picking winners (AM radio stations) and losers (other forms of entertainment or communication). The economic impact will likely be negligible, but the operational headaches for automakers will be significant.

In conclusion, this bill is a perfect illustration of how our legislative system can produce absurd, self-serving laws that benefit special interests at the expense of everyone else. It's a regulatory disease, and I'm here to diagnose it: "Acute Crony Capitalism Syndrome" with symptoms including bureaucratic overreach, regulatory capture, and a healthy dose of stupidity.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than analyze this legislative abomination further. Next patient, please!

Related Topics

Telecommunications & Broadband Access
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$74,300
19 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$6,600
Committees
$0
Individuals
$67,700

No PAC contributions found

1
COOL MASTER PRO LLC
1 transaction
$6,600

No committee contributions found

1
OF FLORIDA, SEMINOLE TRIBE
2 transactions
$6,600
2
MENG, BEN
2 transactions
$6,600
3
ARTECHE, LEON
1 transaction
$5,000
4
LAGOS, JAMES H.
1 transaction
$3,300
5
RICE, WILLIAM LLOYD
1 transaction
$3,300
6
WANEK, RON
1 transaction
$3,300
7
WANEK, TODD
1 transaction
$3,300
8
WANEK, JOYCE
1 transaction
$3,300
9
WANEK, KAREN
1 transaction
$3,300
10
HEPSCHER, WILLIAM S
1 transaction
$3,300
11
YOUNG, JENNIFER
1 transaction
$3,300
12
REAL, JUAN C
1 transaction
$3,300
13
MALONE, KEVIN P
1 transaction
$3,300
14
HUENINK, JEFF
1 transaction
$3,300
15
KAVOUKLIS, EDIE
1 transaction
$3,300
16
KAVOUKLIS, NICHOLAS
1 transaction
$3,300
17
ARISON, MICKY
1 transaction
$3,300
18
ARISON, MADELEINE
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

ID: P000034

Top Contributors

10

1
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$3,300
May 22, 2024
2
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$2,900
Jun 6, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 18, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 1, 2023
5
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$1,000
Oct 16, 2024
6
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$825
Sep 29, 2023
7
HOLMDEL FUNERAL HOME
OrganizationHOLMDEL, NJ
$500
Dec 1, 2023
8
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$500
Dec 27, 2023
9
HIGHLANDS DEMOCRATIC CLUB
OrganizationHIGHLANDS, NJ
$500
Sep 10, 2024
10
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$400
May 22, 2024

Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]

ID: M001204

Top Contributors

10

1
PRIDE MOBILITY PRODUCTS CORP
OrganizationDURYEA, PA
$2,500
Sep 18, 2024
2
COTLER, YUDACUFSKI, HUEBNER
OrganizationSAINT CLAIR, PA
$1,000
Apr 23, 2024
3
DOWD, JOHN J
SUNDANCE VACATIONSPRESIDENT
IndividualLEHIGHTON, PA
$6,600
Mar 25, 2024
4
PEYKOFF, ANDY
NIAGARA BOTTLING, LLCCEO
IndividualLAS VEGAS, NV
$6,600
Mar 22, 2024
5
DOWD, JOHN J
SUNDANCE VACATIONSPRESIDENT
IndividualLEHIGHTON, PA
$6,600
Sep 18, 2024
6
ROWAN, MARC J
APOLLO MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Aug 23, 2023
7
ROWAN, CAROLYN
CAROLYN ROWAN COLLECTIONOWNER
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Aug 23, 2023
8
RICH, BRIAN R MR. JR
GILBERTON COAL CO.EXECUTIVE SALES
IndividualCONSHOHOCKEN, PA
$6,600
Oct 24, 2024
9
VOLPE, ELLEN M
SELFHOMEMAKER
IndividualWAVERLY TOWNSHIP, PA
$5,800
May 31, 2023
10
VOLPE, CHARLES J
EXCALIBUR INSURANCE MGMTPRESIDENT
IndividualWAVERLY TOWNSHIP, PA
$5,800
May 31, 2023

Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9]

ID: H001067

Top Contributors

10

1
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
2
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
3
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
OrganizationROCK HILL, SC
$1,500
Mar 5, 2024
4
HENDRICK, JOSEPH RIDDICK III
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTSCHAIRMAN
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$50,000
Dec 12, 2023
5
GROSS, MARK J.
OAK GROVE TECHNOLOGIESCEO
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$50,000
Feb 27, 2023
6
WARLICK, ANDERSON D. MR.
PARKDALE MILLSCEO
IndividualGASTONIA, NC
$50,000
Mar 16, 2023
7
BARNHILL, ROBERT E. MR. JR.
BARNHILL CONTRACTING COMPANYPRESIDENT
IndividualROCKY MOUNT, NC
$50,000
May 14, 2024
8
HUNTER, FRED NEAL
KNOW BIO LLCBUSINESS OWNER
IndividualDURHAM, NC
$35,000
Mar 31, 2023
9
SULLIVAN, SCOTT C.
CAMERON MANAGEMENTCO-FOUNDER
IndividualBANNER ELK, NC
$25,000
Dec 29, 2023
10
ALLISON, DENNIS KEITH MR.
SYSTELPRESIDENT/CEO
IndividualFAYETTEVILLE, NC
$25,000
Mar 3, 2023

Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

ID: W000814

Top Contributors

10

1
TIGUA INDIAN RESERVATION - YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO
OrganizationEL PASO, TX
$2,500
Jun 30, 2023
2
SCOTT M. BROWN P.C.
OrganizationANGLETON, TX
$2,500
Aug 13, 2024
3
SCOTT M. BROWN P.C.
OrganizationANGLETON, TX
$2,500
Aug 14, 2024
4
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
5
ALLEN BOONE HUMPHRIES ROBINSON LLP
OrganizationHOUSTON, TX
$1,000
Jul 25, 2023
6
CLARK, LISA M.
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$10,000
Feb 23, 2024
7
SULLIVAN, JOHN R. MR.
SULLIVAN COMPANIESOWNER
IndividualGALVESTON, TX
$6,600
Oct 31, 2023
8
TEICHMAN, KEVIN MR.
TEICHMAN GROUP LLCCEO
IndividualFRIENDSWOOD, TX
$6,600
Dec 12, 2023
9
MCCORVEY, MITZY
MCCORVEY INDUSTRIAL FABRICATIONOWNER
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Feb 9, 2023
10
MCCORVEY, TONY
MCCORVEY INDUSTRIAL FABRICATIONOWNER
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Feb 9, 2023

Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4]

ID: A000379

Top Contributors

10

1
OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationRED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Jun 21, 2023
2
CM DUBOIS STRATEGIES LLC
OrganizationWEBSTER GROVES, MO
$2,000
Mar 18, 2024
3
WAYPOINT CONSULTING LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$1,100
Dec 13, 2023
4
CHERRY, DERON
UNITED BEVERAGE COMPANYPRESIDENT
IndividualKANSAS CITY, MO
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
5
CHERRY, DERON
UNITED BEVERAGE COMPANYPRESIDENT
IndividualKANSAS CITY, MO
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
6
REDFORD, STAN
REDFORD CONSTRUCTIONOWNER
IndividualRAYMORE, MO
$3,300
Jul 26, 2024
7
THOMPSON, CRAIG
GOLDEN VALLEY HEALTHCEO
IndividualCLINTON, MO
$3,300
Sep 7, 2024
8
COOPER, SHANNON
Individual
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
9
GRAY, CHARLES M
REMAXBROKER
IndividualCLINTON, MO
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
GUTHRIE, JASON
J&S FARMSOWNER
Individual
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023

Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]

ID: L000600

Top Contributors

10

1
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
PACCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
2
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS
PACSALAMANCA, NY
$3,300
May 30, 2024
3
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
COMONEIDA, NY
$2,500
Mar 31, 2023
4
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
PACONEIDA, NY
$2,000
Jun 17, 2024
5
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS
COMSALAMANCA, NY
$1,500
Mar 7, 2023
6
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
PACONEIDA, NY
$1,200
Jun 17, 2024
7
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 19, 2023
8
2504 NIAGARA FALLS BOULEVARD LLC
OrganizationWILLIAMSVILLE, NY
$500
Dec 27, 2023
9
BARCLAY DAMON LLP
OrganizationSYRACUSE, NY
$500
Sep 26, 2023
10
BARRY ZEPLOWITZ & ASSOCIATES
OrganizationWILLIAMSVILLE, NY
$250
Aug 2, 2024

Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]

ID: L000491

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 17, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 17, 2024
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 5, 2023
4
GATES, WILLIAM
BREAKTHROUGH ENERGYPHILANTHROPIST
IndividualREDMOND, WA
$3,300
Oct 19, 2023
5
NATION, CHEROKEE
INDIAN TRIBEINDIAN TRIBE
IndividualTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 26, 2023
6
LOVE, GREG
LOVE'S TRAVEL STOPSCO-CEO
IndividualOKLAHOMA CITY, OK
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
7
LOVE, GREG
LOVE'S TRAVEL STOPSCO-CEO
IndividualOKLAHOMA CITY, OK
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
8
PILLMORE, BRIAN
SELFBUSINESS OWNER
IndividualYUKON, OK
$3,300
Mar 4, 2024
9
HILLIARY, MEGAN
HILLIARY CUSTOM HOMESDESIGNER
IndividualLAWTON, OK
$3,300
Aug 1, 2023
10
WILMES, JEFF
WILMES CHEVROLETAUTO SALES
IndividualALTUS, OK
$3,300
Aug 3, 2023

Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

ID: R000305

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 8, 2023
2
COOPER, JOHN D JR.
NOT EMPLOYEDCONTRACTOR/ENGINEER
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$6,600
May 8, 2023
3
MARTIN, LOUISE PORTER
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$4,600
Dec 29, 2023
4
WILKES, NANCY
UNC HOSPITALSPHYSICIAN
IndividualCHAPEL HILL, NC
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
5
ALLEN, DIANA
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualCARY, NC
$3,300
Dec 30, 2023
6
ALSOP, JOSEPH
ALSOP LOUIE PARTNERSVENTURE PARTNER
IndividualBEVERLY, MA
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
7
ALSUP, WILLIAM B III
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Oct 17, 2023
8
BEEUWKES, REINIER
ISCHEMIXCEO
IndividualCONCORD, MA
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
9
DEBNAM, CAREY
SELF EMPLOYEDPROPERTY MANAGEMENT
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
10
DEBNAM, SESHA F
DEBNAM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLCPROPERTY MANAGER
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023

Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]

ID: L000578

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
2
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
3
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
OrganizationCASS LAKE, MN
$2,000
Nov 4, 2024
4
VANN BROTHERS
UNINCORPORATEDPARTNERSHIP
OrganizationWILLIAMS, CA
$1,500
Jun 27, 2023
5
ONEIDA NATION
OrganizationONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Oct 31, 2024
6
SANTA ROSA RANCHERIA, .
SOVEREIGN NATIONINDIAN TRIBE
IndividualLEMORE, CA
$6,600
May 6, 2024
7
NECHAY, JULIA
N/ANOT EMPLOYED
IndividualROSEVILLE, CA
$5,000
Oct 26, 2024
8
OSAGE NATION, .
SOVEREIGN NATIONINDIAN TRIBE
IndividualPAWHUSKA, OK
$3,300
Oct 8, 2024
9
MCLAUGHLIN, RANDY
OLD DURHAM WOODORCHARD TEMOVAL
IndividualDURHAM, CA
$3,300
Oct 13, 2024
10
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA, .
SOVEREIGN NATIONINDIAN TRIBE
IndividualDURANT, OK
$3,300
Oct 16, 2024

Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

ID: S001145

Top Contributors

10

1
MILLS, MARTHA
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,500
Jan 18, 2024
2
STASCH, JULIA
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,500
Jan 4, 2024
3
PARETSKY, SARA
SELF-EMPLOYEDAUTHOR
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,500
May 3, 2024
4
CHIA, STAN
VIVID SEATSCEO
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Oct 18, 2023
5
CLIFFORD, ROBERT
SELFATTORNEY
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Dec 17, 2023
6
CONWAY, KEVIN
COONEY & CONWAYATTORNEY
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Dec 10, 2023
7
COONEY, ROBERT
COONEY AND CONWAYATTORNEY
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Dec 10, 2023
8
CORBOY, PHILIP H. JR.
CORBOY & DEMETRIOATTORNEY
IndividualWINNETKA, IL
$3,300
Dec 24, 2023
9
FAHEY, WILLIAM
COONEY AND CONWAYATTORNEY
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
10
HEBEISEN, KEITH
CLIFFORD LAW OFFICESATTORNEY
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Dec 10, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 49 nodes and 36 connections (31 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $114,250

Top Donors - Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

Showing top 19 donors by contribution amount

1 Org18 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped, 1 harmed.

  • Section 3(a) requires AM broadcast stations to be accessible in passenger motor vehicles as standard equipment, which expands the audience reach for AM radio broadcasters, providing a clear benefit to the print and broadcast media industry.

  • Automotive (Legacy)confidence 0.85

    Section 3(a) mandates that devices receiving AM broadcast signals be installed as standard equipment in passenger motor vehicles, imposing a cost on automotive manufacturers to include this equipment, which could affect design, production costs, and vehicle pricing.

  • +Telecommunicationsconfidence 0.80

    Section 3(a) requires access to AM broadcast stations in vehicles, which supports the telecommunications industry by ensuring the continued relevance and use of AM radio broadcasting infrastructure.

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.

Introduction

Moderate60.3%
Pages: 658-660

— 626 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise environment. They need to account for rapidly moving and out-of-line-of-sight vehicles as well as pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users. They should account for the potential for radio interference, and they should address security. This is why in 1999, in response to a request from Congress, the Federal Com- munications Commission allocated the 5.9 GHz band of spectrum to traffic safety and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). In 2020, the FCC took away 45 MHz of the 75 MHz it had added, leaving only 30 MHz for transportation safety and ITS. DOT needs to represent the transportation community and make the case for needed spectrum to the public and Congress. CORPORATE AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY (CAFE) STANDARDS One reason for the high numbers of injuries on American roadways is that national fuel economy standards raise the price of cars, disincentivizing people from purchasing newer, safer vehicles. Congress requires the Secretary of Transportation to set national fuel econ- omy standards for new motor vehicles sold in the United States. This mandate was established in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA),6 a law passed in the wake of the Arab oil embargo to promote greater energy efficiency and lessen the national security threat of U.S. dependence on foreign oil. The stat- ute directs DOT to prescribe the “maximum feasible” mileage requirements for different categories of internal-combustion engine (ICE) automobiles for each model year. The standards must be achievable using available ICE technologies running on gasoline, diesel fuel, or similar combustible fuels and must not be set so high as to prevent automakers from profitably producing new vehicles at sufficient volume to meet consumer demand. Congress recognized that the ICE-powered automobile has been instrumen- tal to advancing the mobility and prosperity of the American people and that the domestic mass production of new ICE vehicles generates millions of jobs and remains critical to the overall health of the U.S. economy and the strength of the nation’s industrial base. Accordingly, Congress took care to ensure that the mileage requirements issued by DOT would not undermine the vitality of America’s auto industry or interfere with the market economics that drives consumer demand for new vehicles. This rulemaking authority, which has been delegated by the Secretary to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is exclusive to DOT. EPCA expressly preempts states from adopting or enforcing any different requirement “related to fuel economy standards” for new motor vehicles. While the statute instructs DOT to consult with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in formulating its standards, no other federal agency, including EPA, has clear authority to set fuel economy requirements in place of NHTSA. The Clean Air Act7 gives EPA general authority to establish emissions — 627 — Department of Transportation limits for new motor vehicles for air pollutants that are found to pose a danger to humans. However, there is no reason to believe Congress ever contemplated that EPA’s authority to address automotive air pollution might be used to displace or supersede NHTSA’s fuel economy mandate under EPCA. Congress chose to assign the power to set fuel economy standards to DOT rather than EPA. This was not only because DOT understands the technologies and economics of the auto industry, but also because NHTSA is the nation’s leading motor vehicle safety regulator, and Congress sought to ensure that fuel economy requirements would not adversely affect highway safety. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration has flouted these statutory limitations in nearly every respect. The predictable result is higher expected transportation costs for Americans. l In pursuit of an anti–fossil fuel climate agenda never approved by Congress, the Biden Administration has raised fuel economy requirements to levels that cannot realistically be met by most categories of ICE vehicles. The purpose is to force the auto industry to transition away from traditional technologies to the production of electric vehicles (EVs) and compel Americans to accept costly EVs despite a clear and persistent consumer preference for ICE-powered vehicles. In further support of this agenda, federal regulators administer a scheme of generous fuel economy credits that subsidize EV producers such as Tesla at the expense of legacy automakers. l Moreover, and contrary to Congress’s design, the Biden EPA has been given preeminence in the regulation of fuel economy through the setting of carbon dioxide emissions limits for new motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act. Because carbon dioxide emissions levels correspond to mileage in automobiles powered by fossil fuels, these EPA rules are de facto fuel economy requirements that apply independently of NHTSA’s standards. l The Biden Administration has also granted California a special waiver under the Clean Air Act that permits the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to issue its own fuel economy directives, notwithstanding EPCA’s prohibition on state standards. Under this waiver, CARB has ordered automakers to phase out the sale of ICE-powered automobiles in California and transition to the production of zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The Clean Air Act allows other states to follow California’s requirements; thus, CARB is effectively determining fuel economy policies for the entire nation. As a result of these regulatory actions, automobiles will be significantly more expensive to produce, there will be fewer affordable new vehicle options for Amer- ican families, and fewer new vehicles will be sold in the U.S. That will do more than

About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text. A score of 60% or higher indicates meaningful thematic overlap. This does not imply direct causation or intent, but highlights areas where legislation aligns with Project 2025 policy objectives.

Full Policy Text

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