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Congressman Henry “Hank” Johnson (D- The Plan would give consumers a cash Electrifies the Federal Vehicle Fleet -
GA-4), with Congresswoman Schakowsky voucher to trade-in their gas-powered cars the discretionary request includes $300
(D-IL-9) as one of the cosponsors, and buy U.S.-assembled plug-in electric, million to purchase electric vehicles and
introduced H.R. 1239, the same bill. plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen fuel cell cars; charging infrastructure at GSA as well as
establish a new grant program for access $300 million for other Federal agencies
USMCA to charging infrastructure; and, provide to electrify the Federal motor vehicle fleet
incentives for manufacturers to build and reduce carbon emissions. This includes
The Association, in conjunction with new factories or re-tool existing factories GSA’s leased fleet of over 200,000 cars,
NADA and NAAA, continues to seek a to assemble zero-emission vehicles or trucks, sport utility vehicles, and buses,
meeting with Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade manufacture charging components. The the majority of which run on gasoline. The
Representative, regarding the impact Plan is supported by the Sierra Club, the investment serves as a down payment to
of the new tariff increase on vehicles NRDC, the League of Conservation Votes support a multiyear transformation of the
manufactured prior to July 1, 2020, the various labor unions, Ford and General Federal fleet.
effective date of the USMCA. On June 17, Motors. Schumer said the Plan would
NADA, NAAA and NIADA had a virtual result in 63 million fewer carbon-emitting S. 1249, PPP FLEXIBILITY FOR
meeting with the office of the U.S. Trade cars and would create tens of thousands of FARMERS, RANCHERS AND THE
Representative. The purpose of the meeting good-paying jobs. SELF-EMPLOYED ACT
was to request that the USTR revisit the
issue and adopt a different interpretation; CHIP PRODUCTION The bill, introduced on April 20 by Small
that is, basically grandfathering from Business Committee Chair Cardin, with
the new tariffs vehicles manufactured The Senate, on a bipartisan vote of 9 cosponsors, would allow self-employed
before July 1, 2020, as those vehicles were 68-32 and with the support of the Americans to qualify for more aid under
manufactured pursuant to different NAFTA President, passed the “U.S. Innovation the Paycheck Protection Program, which
standards, and pending the USTR’s review, and Competition Act or USICA” which offers government-backed loans that can
relaxed tariff enforcements would continue appropriates almost $250B to bolster be forgiven if businesses maintain payroll.
as they have been in place since July 1, 2020. manufacturing and technology to meet the Specifically, the bill amends the Small
The June 17 virtual meeting was not very economic and strategic challenges from Business Act to modify the maximum
productive. The Trade Rep did not attend China. Of that amount, $52B is provided paycheck protection program loan
and the staffer who did was neither senior to help domestic manufacturers of semi- amount for farmers and ranchers, sole
level or very knowledgeable about the issue. conductors expand chip production, as proprietors, independent contractors, and
An NADA/NIADA and NAAA statement issue that has gained urgency with a global self-employed individuals, and for other
of concern was submitted to the Senate shortage of chips that has impacted U.S. purposes.
Finance Committee for the record as part automotive plants affecting the availability
of its July 27 hearing. Another letter to the of automobiles resulting in disruption to the H.R.2547, COMPREHENSIVE DEBT
USTR expressing concern about the issue economy and negative impact on consumers. COLLECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT
and requesting a meeting with the Trade The President’s original proposal was for
Rep was sent. $50B. The bill also provides $120B for the Passed the House on May 13 by a vote of
National Science Foundation, NASA, the 215-207. Introduced by Congressman
ELECTRIC VEHICLES/CASH FOR Departments of Commerce and Energy and Waters, Chair of the Financial Services
CLUNKERS??? various research facilities and universities. Committee. The bill provides financial
protections for consumers and places
Included in the President’s original FROM THE BIDEN FY22 BUDGET restrictions on debt collection activities. The
infrastructure proposal is $174B for bill expands certain protections currently
electric vehicles to accelerate the shift to Increases Demand for American Made, applicable to federally-backed student
electric vehicles, consumer rebates and tax Zero-Emission Vehicles through Federal loans to private student loans, including
incentives to buy American-made electric Procurement - to provide an immediate, by requiring the discharge of a private
vehicles, a new grant and incentive program clear, and stable source of demand to help student loan in the event of the borrower’s
to build a national network of 500,000 accelerate American industrial capacity to death or total and permanent disability;
charging stations by 2030. Also, in his FY22 produce clean vehicles and components, prohibits a consumer reporting agency
Budget is $600M for EV’s and charging the discretionary request includes $600 from adding any information related to
infrastructure for 18 Federal agencies, million for electric vehicles and charging a debt arising from a medically necessary
including GSA and the Postal Service. infrastructure in the individual budgets of 18 procedure to a consumer credit report and
These could be the impetus for another Federal agencies, including dedicated funds places restrictions on the reporting of other
round of cash for clunkers along the lines at the General Services Administration for types of medical debt; and applies certain
of the Schumer Clean Cars for American other agencies and for United States Postal consumer protections regarding debt
Plan which he announced last Congress. Service charging infrastructure. collection to debt owed to a federal agency,

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