Democrats Urge Retention of Electric Vehicle Proposal

October 12, 2021

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

We write in support of hundreds of thousands of United Auto Workers (UAW) members and retirees as well as a diverse group of motor vehicle manufacturers and suppliers who support President Biden's Build Back Better plan for a clean transportation future. We urge you to ensure that the electric vehicle (EV) tax credit language that was passed by the Ways and Means Committee remains as-is when the Build Back Better Act is considered on the House floor.

The Ways and Means Committee's proposal includes a $4,500 incentive for union-built EVs that will ensure workers have a seat at the table and will create good paying jobs and safe working conditions. According to the Economic Policy Institute, unionized workers earn on average 11.2% more than their non-union counterparts.¹ Union workers are also more likely to have paid sick days and health insurance than non-union workers. Furthermore, all foreign-owned automotive manufacturers employ union workforces in their home countries, but those same companies consistently choose to invest in right-to-work states that are hostile to collective bargaining agreements. Under the Ways and Means Committee's legislation, all vehicles — including imports — would be eligible for a $7,500 consumer tax credit through 2026. We strongly support leveling the playing field between non-union and unionized workforces by including the added $4,500 incentive to support union-made EVs.

President Biden's Build Back Better plan calls for incentives to dramatically increase the number of EVs on American roads and the global market is rapidly moving to net-zero carbon transportation. America has the opportunity to take the lead on this transformation by adopting policies that make EVs more affordable and accessible to consumers. The Ways and Means Committee's legislation supports the President's goal of reducing emissions by 50-52% by 2030 and improves labor standards at the same time.

The Build Back Better Act's credit for EVs demonstrates America's leadership in the global EV market by accelerating innovation and manufacturing in the U.S., bolstering the sector's domestic supply chain, and creating jobs with good pay and benefits. We urge you to ensure that the credit remains as-is when the bill moves to the House floor.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Thomas R. Suozzi
Member of Congress

Mark Pocan
Member of Congress

Donald Norcross
Member of Congress

Steven Horsford
Member of Congress

Linda T. Sánchez
Member of Congress

Debbie Dingell
Member of Congress

Daniel T. Kildee
Member of Congress

Marcy Kaptur
Member of Congress

Susan Wild
Member of Congress

Frederica S. Wilson
Member of Congress

Haley Stevens
Member of Congress

Barbara Lee
Member of Congress

Jesús G. “Chuy” García
Member of Congress

Salud Carbajal
Member of Congress

Frank J. Mrvan
Member of Congress

Brenda L. Lawrence
Member of Congress

Stephen F. Lynch
Member of Congress

Tim Ryan
Member of Congress

Adriano Espaillat
Member of Congress

Andy Levin
Member of Congress

David Trone
Member of Congress

Mike Quigley
Member of Congress

Sheila Jackson Lee
Member of Congress

Yvette D. Clarke
Member of Congress

Brian Higgins
Member of Congress

Charlie Crist
Member of Congress

Nikema Williams
Member of Congress

Grace Meng
Member of Congress

Eleanor Holmes Norton
Member of Congress

Mike Doyle
Member of Congress

David N. Cicilline
Member of Congress

Madeleine Dean
Member of Congress

Deborah K. Ross
Member of Congress

Mike Levin
Member of Congress

Mary Gay Scanlon
Member of Congress

Tony Cárdenas
Member of Congress

Jimmy Gomez
Member of Congress

Lori Trahan
Member of Congress

Albio Sires
Member of Congress

Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress

Dina Titus
Member of Congress

Nanette Diaz Barragán
Member of Congress

Carolyn B. Maloney
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Conor Lamb
Member of Congress

Anthony G. Brown
Member of Congress

Jahana Hayes
Member of Congress

Bill Foster
Member of Congress

Marie Newman
Member of Congress

Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Jr.
Member of Congress

Robin L. Kelly
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André Carson
Member of Congress

Paul D. Tonko
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Kaialiʻi Kahele
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Darren Soto
Member of Congress

Andy Kim
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Norma J. Torres
Member of Congress

Joe Courtney
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Raúl M. Grijalva
Member of Congress

Ruben Gallego
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Mark DeSaulnier
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Brendan F. Boyle
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Elissa Slotkin
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Danny K. Davis
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Mondaire Jones
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Cheri Bustos
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Karen Bass
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Joseph D. Morelle
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Jan Schakowsky
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Sharice L. Davids
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Kathy Manning
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James R. Langevin
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Bill Pascrell, Jr.
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Alan Lowenthal
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John Garamendi
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Steve Cohen
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Mark Takano
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Judy Chu
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Marc Veasey
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Peter Welch
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Raja Krishnamoorthi
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Alma S. Adams, Ph.D.
Member of Congress

Rashida Tlaib
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Grace F. Napolitano
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Lisa Blunt Rochester
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Ro Khanna
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Julia Brownley
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J. Luis Correa
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Jamie Raskin
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Bradley S. Schneider
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Jerry McNerney
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Suzanne Bonamici
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Kathy Castor
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Eric Swalwell
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Mikie Sherrill
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Ayanna Pressley
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Veronica Escobar
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Nydia M. Velázquez
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Sean Casten
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Pramila Jayapal
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Juan Vargas
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Gerald E. Connolly
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Adam B. Schiff
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William R. Keating
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John P. Sarbanes
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Matt Cartwright
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Jared Huffman
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Chris Pappas
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Member of Congress