GOP Reps Call Out Pete Buttigieg For ‘False Claims’ About the Impact of Electric Vehicles on Jobs

GOP Congressional representatives today called out Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for “false claims” about the impact of electric vehicles on jobs.

The GOP Committee on Oversight and Reform issued a press release about a letter that they had sent to Buttigieg over the claims.

“Today, House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.), Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), and Oversight Republican lawmakers are calling out U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the Biden Administration’s false claims about the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) on the American job market.”

“Recently, Ford Motor Co. announced that it will cut thousands of American jobs to fund its EV investment and rely on China to supply critical batteries.”

“The Republican lawmakers are requesting DOT provide a briefing about the Biden Administration’s push for EVs and impact on Americans’ jobs while the U.S. economy is in a recession.”

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “Committee on Oversight and Reform Republicans are examining the false claims made by the Biden Administration about the impact of electric vehicles on American jobs.”

“Ford Motor Co.’s recent announcement it will cut up to 8,000 mostly American jobs to fund its EV investment is a stark contrast to the economic benefits promised by the Administration.”

“Ford’s decision to reach an agreement with a Chinese company to supply batteries for its EVs indicates it is the Chinese—not Americans—who stand to benefit from the Biden Administration’s policy to shift to EVs.”

“As the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and an advocate for Americans’ widespread adoption of EVs, your agency is in a position to explain how Ford’s actions help American workers and the economy.”

The press release noted that “According to media reports, Ford will begin eliminating jobs this summer to increase profits to fund the company’s push into the EV market.”

“A vast majority of the jobs cut will be salaried workers in the United States, representing as much as 25 percent of Ford’s American salaried workforce.”

“Ford has also announced it will acquire EV batteries from the Chinese company Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited.”

“The move raises concerns about whether the push for EVs over gas-fueled vehicles will make America even more reliant on the Chinese Communist Party instead of American energy resources.”

The letter concluded, “President Biden continues to provide mixed messages about America’s energy policy that is split between blaming energy companies for both producing too much oil and not enough. You are a vocal supporter of a shift towards EVs and encourage Americans to make the change.”

“In testimony before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, you stated the rise of domestic clean energy production is ‘creating a lot of jobs.’”

“However, the actions taken by Ford confirm the opposite is true, and the people benefiting most from the Biden Administration’s push for EVs are not Americans but our foreign adversaries.”

“Committee Republicans are concerned DOT and the Biden Administration in general are pushing EVs to the detriment of American workers and American interests.”