Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) joined President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in the Oval Office today for the announcement of the “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” initiative, which will boost vehicle affordability for millions of Americans.

The initiative resets the unworkable corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards that were raised under the Biden Administration in a push to phase out gas-powered vehicles and create a de facto electric vehicle (EV) mandate. If left in place, the Biden-era standards would have raised car prices, increased U.S. reliance on China, and restricted consumer choice.

“Americans shouldn’t be forced into expensive electric vehicles they can’t afford—yet that’s exactly what the Biden administration tried to do,” said Balderson. “Republicans in Congress have already made tremendous progress to roll back EV mandates and cut and lower costs for working Americans through the Working Families Tax Cuts. I applaud President Trump and his administration for continuing to right-size regulations and lower costs for the American people.”

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July, Congress eliminated key enforcement mechanisms for Biden’s heightened CAFE standards. Today’s announcement resets those standards to a common-sense level that keeps new vehicle prices within reach while supporting continued improvements in fuel efficiency.