S.995 - Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025 (S.995) aims to repeal an EPA rule concerning multi-pollutant emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. It also seeks to amend the Clean Air Act to prevent tailpipe regulations from limiting the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 12, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
The core of the bill focuses on reversing specific EPA regulations and ensuring that future regulations do not mandate specific technologies or limit vehicle availability based on engine type. This is achieved by amending Section 202(a)(2) of the Clean Air Act.
Ultimately, the bill intends to provide consumers with more choices in the types of vehicles available for purchase, preventing regulatory overreach that could stifle innovation or limit consumer options.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would nullify the EPA's "Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles." It would also restrict the EPA's ability to impose regulations that mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type.
This could lead to a wider variety of vehicle options for consumers, potentially including vehicles with internal combustion engines that might otherwise be phased out under stricter emissions standards. The EPA would be required to revise existing regulations to align with these new restrictions.
The long-term effect could be a slower transition to electric vehicles and other alternative fuel technologies, depending on market forces and consumer demand.
Potential Benefits
- Consumer Choice: Ensures a wider variety of vehicle options are available to consumers.
- Protection Against Mandates: Prevents the EPA from mandating specific technologies in vehicles.
- Economic Stability: Could help protect jobs in industries related to traditional combustion engine vehicles.
- Reduced Regulatory Burden: Rolls back existing EPA regulations, potentially reducing compliance costs for manufacturers.
- Innovation: Could foster innovation in a broader range of engine technologies, not just electric vehicles.
Potential Disadvantages
- Environmental Impact: Rolling back emissions standards could lead to increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Climate Change: May hinder efforts to combat climate change by slowing the transition to cleaner vehicles.
- Public Health: Increased pollution could negatively impact public health, particularly in urban areas.
- Technological Stagnation: Could disincentivize investment in and development of electric vehicle technology.
- International Agreements: May put the US at odds with international agreements and efforts to reduce emissions.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is rooted in the balance of powers between Congress and the Executive branch (specifically, the EPA). Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution vests all legislative powers in Congress, implying that Congress has the authority to modify or repeal regulations enacted by executive agencies like the EPA.
However, the bill's impact on environmental regulations could be debated under the General Welfare Clause. While the bill's supporters might argue it promotes economic welfare by protecting industries and consumer choice, opponents could argue that it undermines the general welfare by harming the environment and public health.
There is no direct constitutional conflict, but the bill reflects a policy choice regarding the balance between economic interests and environmental protection, which is a matter of ongoing debate.
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).