Should electric vehicles manufactured in the USA be required to use USA raw materials?

Labor, Jobs, and Commerce Transportation and Public Works
"Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers” (S.J. Res 38)
This bill has Passed both chambers of Congress
Bill Summary

This resolution would express disapproval of a recent FHA rule change allowing qualified electric vehicle charger manufacturers to manufacture in the US using raw materials from other countries. Proponents claim that this would encourage domestic production of steel, copper, and other raw materials, while opponents argue that companies would instead move production abroad. Sponsor: Sen. Marco Rubio (Republican, Florida)
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Opponents say

•      "The Administration strongly opposes passage of S.J. Res. 38... This resolution would eliminate the domestic manufacturing requirement for electric vehicle (EV) chargers funded by the FHWA, thereby harming domestic manufacturing and American jobs. If enacted, S.J. Res. 38 would weaken Buy America requirements by reverting to FHWA’s general waiver for manufactured products, allowing federal dollars - including $7.5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - to be spent on chargers made in competitor nations like the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, if enacted, S.J. Res. 38 would undermine the hundreds of millions of dollars that the private sector has already invested in domestic EV charging manufacturing, and chill further domestic investment in this critical market... If the President were presented with S.J. Res. 38, he would veto it." Source: Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget on behalf of Joe Biden


•      "On behalf of the United Steelworkers, the largest manufacturing union in North America, I urge you to oppose a shortsighted and misguided Congressional Review Act (CRA), Senate Joint Resolution 38 (S.J. Res. 38), which if enacted would undercut American manufacturing both near and long term. Our union has spent significant time and energy strengthening and expanding Buy America policy to ensure American tax dollars prioritize American jobs, the USW was a strong supporter of the Build America, Buy America provisions included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) as known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). If this CRA was successful, there would be no Buy America coverage for Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers. More specifically, Buy America coverage for EV chargers (a “manufactured product”) would revert back to a 1983 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) general (or blanket) waiver of Buy America for all manufactured products." Source: United Steelworkers


Proponents say

•      "The Biden administration’s attempted Buy America waiver for electric vehicle chargers is a joke. They tout domestic sourcing requirements, but they make a loophole to push their EV agenda. Our CRA will hold the administration accountable and prioritize secure supply chains over EV pipe dreams." Source: Sen. Kevin Cramer (Republican, North Dakota)


•      "Waiving the Buy America requirements on EV chargers won’t help American taxpayers or workers. It hurts American companies and empowers foreign adversaries, like China, to control our energy infrastructure. We should never use American dollars to subsidize Chinese-made products." Source: Sen. Marco Rubio (Republican, Florida)

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