S.990 - Freedom to Haul Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Freedom to Haul Act of 2025 aims to prevent the EPA from enforcing its "Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles--Phase 3" rule. It also seeks to amend the Clean Air Act to ensure that tailpipe regulations do not limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type or mandate specific technologies. The bill requires the EPA to revise regulations to conform to these changes within two years of enactment.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the bill would likely lead to a rollback of stricter emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles. This could result in continued availability of a wider range of vehicle types but potentially at the expense of environmental goals. The EPA would be required to revise existing regulations to align with the new provisions.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially lower costs for businesses and consumers due to the availability of a wider range of vehicle options.
- Reduced regulatory burden on the trucking industry.
- Preservation of consumer choice in vehicle types.
- May prevent disruptions in the supply chain by ensuring the availability of various types of heavy-duty vehicles.
- Could stimulate economic activity in sectors related to traditional vehicle manufacturing.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles.
- Slower progress towards cleaner air and reduced climate change impacts.
- May undermine investments in cleaner technologies and alternative fuels.
- Could lead to negative health impacts due to increased air pollution.
- Potential conflict with international agreements and commitments on climate change.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the Constitution is primarily related to the balance of power between Congress and the Executive branch (specifically, the EPA). Congress has the power to legislate and set policy, while the Executive branch is responsible for implementing those policies. This bill represents Congress asserting its authority to limit the EPA's regulatory actions. Article 1, Section 1 vests all legislative powers in the Congress.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).