U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, along with several colleagues, has introduced a joint resolution of disapproval to nullify a rule imposed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that imposes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions performance measures on state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations. The FHWA implemented this rule in November 2023 despite lacking Congressional authority to do so.
In a statement, Senator Cruz called the FHWA's regulation a "unilateral mandate" and an "act of federal overreach" by the Biden administration. He argued that this rule pressures states with a burdensome and one-size-fits-all mandate that fails to consider the differing needs of each state's transportation systems. Senator Cruz also highlighted that the FHWA's actions go against the intent of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which did not grant the agency the authority to impose GHG emissions performance measures.
The joint resolution of disapproval, introduced by Senator Cruz and his colleagues, aims to hold the Biden administration accountable for overstepping its jurisdiction and pursuing a radical climate agenda without the necessary Congressional authority. The resolution has garnered support from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Associated General Contractors of America, American Road & Transportation Builders Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among others.
Senator Cruz has been a vocal proponent of restoring American energy independence and has taken several actions to counter what he sees as executive overreach by the Biden administration. He previously sent a letter to the FHWA opposing the implementation of GHG emissions performance measures and urged Congressional leadership to defund the Biden EPA's electric vehicle rule. Additionally, Senator Cruz introduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act to counter the administration's ban on gasoline-powered vehicles and establish an electric vehicle mandate.
The senator's efforts extend to his role as the ranking member on the Senate Commerce Committee, where he has raised concerns about the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and urged the EPA to withdraw emissions standards on American-made vehicles. In May 2023, Senator Cruz also voiced concerns about President Biden's nominee to lead the NHTSA and urged her not to issue draconian policies under NHTSA's CAFE standards.
In April 2023, Senator Cruz introduced the DIRTY CAR EV Act, which calls for a study on the carbon footprint of electric vehicles and the impact of widespread electric vehicle use on the country's electrical grids.
Senator Cruz's efforts to overturn the FHWA's illegal GHG emissions performance measure rule reflect his commitment to fighting against federal overreach and ensuring that states have the ability to make decisions that align with their specific needs and circumstances.