Greenville Reporter

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. has expressed his support for the restoration of Buy America requirements for electric vehicle (EV) chargers in a recent vote. The vote, on S.J. Res. 38, aimed to overturn the Federal Highway Administration's rule that waived these requirements for EV chargers.

In his statement, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. criticized President Biden's climate agenda, accusing it of prioritizing China over American drivers and workers. He stated, "President Biden's myopic climate agenda is putting China first and American drivers and workers last." The Congressman further expressed concern that the Inflation Reduction Act was utilized deceptively to pass $1.2 trillion in green subsidies, which subsequently led to the waiver of Buy America provisions. He emphasized that American taxpayer dollars should not be used to deepen reliance on foreign adversaries, especially in critical technology sectors.

The Buy America provisions, which require federal infrastructure projects to obtain 55 percent of construction materials from domestic sources, were put in place to support American industry and reduce dependence on foreign economies. These provisions also mandate that the construction of EV chargers must be entirely manufactured in the United States. However, in February 2023, President Biden's Federal Highway Administration issued a waiver suspending these requirements.

The impact of this waiver is significant, considering China's dominance in the EV market. In 2023, China accounted for approximately two-thirds of the global EV sales, selling more than 5.4 million EVs. Additionally, China is responsible for 80% of EV battery cells worldwide. By waiving the Buy America requirements, there is a concern that Chinese corporations will benefit from the construction of EV chargers, potentially deepening reliance on foreign adversaries.

Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. believes it is essential to restore the Buy America requirements to ensure American industry and independence from foreign economies. By reinstating these provisions, the construction of EV chargers would support domestic sources and manufacturing, thus benefiting American workers and reducing reliance on foreign adversaries.

The vote in favor of S.J. Res. 38 signifies a strong stance by Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. in prioritizing American interests and working towards a more self-sufficient and secure future.