Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, led a letter with 28 Republican committee members to Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in support of the Trump Administration’s proposed rule on Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, according to an April 2 announcement.
The issue centers on federal fuel economy regulations that impact vehicle costs and consumer choice. The lawmakers argue that the new proposal will reverse previous standards set by the Biden-Harris Administration, which they say functioned as an electric vehicle mandate and increased costs for American families.
Guthrie said, “The Biden-Harris Administration’s NHTSA established unlawful fuel economy standards that served as a de facto electric vehicle mandate. The rule instituted aggressive fuel economy targets that could only be achieved through broad vehicle electrification, made improper assumptions on vehicle electrification, expressly considered ‘dedicated automobiles,’ and allowed consideration of the fuel economy credit program in establishing fuel economy standards.”
In their letter, the lawmakers wrote: “In June 2025, NHTSA appropriately concluded that the previous Administration’s approach contradicted EPCA and exceeded the agency’s authority. NHTSA’s new proposal appropriately brings the CAFE program back in statutory compliance and aligns with congressional intent in establishing the program through setting achievable fuel economy targets, not picking winners and losers in the marketplace, and addressing credit trading.” They further stated that under previous rules Americans faced higher new car prices during a period of inflation but claim that "your Department’s proposed standards are estimated to save American families approximately $109 billion over the next five years." The letter also says this proposal is projected to save more than 1,500 lives and prevent nearly 250,000 serious injuries by improving access to newer vehicles.
According to data from Cox Automotive cited by committee members, electric vehicles made up nearly 12% of U.S. market share in September before dropping to about 6% in January when incentives were reduced.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is responsible for legislation concerning energy policy, health care matters, environmental protection measures such as those related to CAFE standards regulation as well as telecommunications issues according to its official website. It has influenced policy areas including energy innovation initiatives like those affecting automotive technology according to its official website.
Founded originally as the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures in 1795 according to its official website, it stands among Congress's oldest standing committees according to its official website.
