Nick Langworthy, U.S. representative for New York’s 23rd Congressional District, said that the House’s approval of H.J.Res. 88 aims to protect New York’s auto workers and consumers from what he described as burdensome electric vehicle mandates.
“I am very pleased that H.J.Res. 88 passed the House today,” said Langworthy, Congressman. “Governor Hochul adopted California’s environmental extremists’ mandate without regard for New York’s economy. This mandate would have had negative economic consequences for thousands of workers. Now, the Senate must pass it immediately so President Trump can sign it into law.”
According to the Congressional Research Service, H.J.Res. 88 is a joint resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives intended to overturn specific environmental regulations. The resolution uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal a rule issued by the Department of Energy concerning stricter emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks. The CRA allows Congress to nullify federal regulations within a certain timeframe after their issuance. Supporters of the resolution, such as Representative Elise Stefanik, argue that the regulation disproportionately affects sectors like trucking and logistics, particularly in states like New York, where state leaders have aligned closely with California’s more aggressive environmental benchmarks.
As reported by Charged EVs, New York’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule was finalized in December 2021 and requires manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (Class 2b and above) to progressively increase their zero-emission vehicle sales. This mandate starts with 7% in 2025 and aims for up to 75% by 2035, depending on vehicle class. The regulation aligns with the state’s broader climate goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050 from 1990 levels. The ACT rule is projected to cut annual fleet greenhouse gas emissions by 41% by 2050, contributing significantly to the state’s emission reduction targets.
According to PR Newswire, a study by the American Transportation Research Institute found that new emissions-compliant trucks under California-aligned regulations could cost between $40,000 and $120,000 more per unit compared to conventional diesel models. These costs significantly impact small and medium-sized fleets, which constitute over 90% of the U.S. trucking industry. Additionally, retrofitting infrastructure for charging or fueling zero-emission vehicles is expected to exceed $35 billion nationwide by 2030, raising concerns about economic feasibility for operators in rural and economically vulnerable regions.
Langworthy represents New York’s 23rd congressional district and serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and the Budget. Before his election to Congress in 2022, he was Chairman of the New York State Republican Committee, becoming the youngest person ever to hold that role. He has focused on policies supporting economic growth, energy independence, and rural development in Western New York and the Southern Tier.
