Bill Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for recognizing me this evening. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today with a bittersweet message for my colleagues. After more than a dozen years here in the House of Representatives, I am retiring/resigning this week. I have so loved this work. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the good people of eastern and southeastern Ohio. To many, the people I represent are just the flown-over of flyover country, but they are truly so much more. From Youngstown to Portsmouth, to St. Clairsville to Zanesville, these are people who care deeply. They are hardworking men and women, with strong values and a proud legacy of doing the hard things that keep America moving forward--mining coal, making steel, and producing oil and natural gas. So often they do it with the deck stacked against them, mocked by political elites who wish they would simply go away. Leaving Washington, believe me, will be easy, but leaving my job, representing these fine folks, is hard. I hear a new call. It is a call to help prepare the next generation of American leaders. I will be doing it at one of our country's finest public institutions of higher learning, Youngstown State University. It took a unique offer for me to leave the people's House, but becoming president of Youngstown State is a challenge I felt I must accept. Working with our young people to shape the future excites me and gives me hope and zeal for the work ahead. This brings me to my main message today. It might seem out of step in today's culture, but it is something everyone must hear. The message is simple: America is exceptional. The Founding Fathers knew it, and on July 4, 1776, when they declared it out loud, the rest of the world soon found out that it was true also. They knew it, too. Those men laid down a bedrock foundation on the principles of personal liberty, free enterprise, and a representative government accountable to the people. It is, without a doubt, the greatest government ever created in the history of humanity. Now, my life has been a constant journey to serve my country, from my 26-plus years in the United States Air Force to this journey of servicing Congress and into my next chapter leading one of Ohio's finest universities. My commitment to service is because of the debt of gratitude that I owe. I grew up poor, but this country has given me the opportunity to prosper. I have lived the American Dream, and that has kindled optimism in my heart. Sure, I know that watching the news or reading comments on the internet today can be depressing, but I truly don't believe these divisions that are rocking our Nation today will hold. That is because deep down we all want the same thing here in America--peace, freedom, and the ability to pursue the American Dream on our own terms and to build a life. We mustn't let voices of anger shred our American sense of self. In President George Washington's farewell address, he encouraged his countrymen to recognize and enjoy the fruits of the new Constitution and national government that fostered liberty and opportunity. His message resonates down through the generations even today. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, we all enjoy the same liberty. Liberal, moderates, and conservatives, we all have the same opportunities. These are our common threads. Let's strengthen the fabric that binds us together. We can disagree without dissolving that bond. Indeed, that is the only way forward. My new workplace will be a university campus, which is an ideal place for disagreements and debate to happen in a way that is civil and educational. We should and we will foster discussion even if the result is merely acceptance of differing views. That is what George Washington and our Founders fought for, and it is the ideal that makes America different and better than other countries. It is one of the many reasons America is exceptional. For that, I am most thankful. I would be remiss if I didn't mention just a few people for whom I am also thankful. It would be impossible to list everyone standing here today. I don't have but 60 minutes, and it would take far longer than that, but know that you are in my thoughts of appreciation as I close one chapter and prepare to open another. First to my staff, past and present, led by chief of staff Mike Smullen and district director Sarah Keeler. I know that there is no more hardworking team here, working not for me, but working on behalf of the people of eastern and southeastern Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank my staff Mike, Sarah, and the rest of the team. I could not have done it without them. I also thank my colleagues here on both sides of the aisle with whom I have developed lifelong friendships, the likes of which can only be forged in the trenches of hard work and service to our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I thank my campaign team that has stayed remarkably intact since the early days in 2009 when we sat around a kitchen table to discuss running for Congress. I thank them all. I offer a resounding thank you to the voters of eastern and southeastern Ohio for supporting me across multiple districts that has seen us represent 19 different counties in different configurations over the last 13 years. Servicing Congress is a sacrifice, both for us as Members and for those around us as well--our families. Mr. Speaker, I end here by thanking my children--Josh, Julie, Jessica, and Nathan, and my extended family for putting up with the crazy session schedules and helping me during this journey when I missed so many of our family activities and couldn't be there. Lastly, and most importantly, to my wife, LeeAnn. She would have been in the gallery today, but it is cold outside. I have always said from the day we met, the first time that I laid eyes on you, you have made me a better man, a better human being. You have sacrificed more than anyone else, and it was you that made all of this possible by being my loving partner and standing by me in some of the toughest times. I couldn't have done it without you by my side. Thank you, LeeAnn, the love of my life. Mr. Speaker, thank you, and farewell. I say for the last time, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, let's look at what we have heard today. If we want to help America's autoworkers, then let's keep them on the job. It takes a lot less labor to make electric vehicles than it does to make combustion engine vehicles. If we want to protect the environment, then let's keep China from doing all the mining and refining of the rare earth minerals and critical materials, and supply chain that we actually need to make electric vehicles here in America. If we want to stop supporting China, rather than buy Chinese cars, which is where this is ultimately going to go if we continue down this road, let's permit mining and refining of critical materials right here in America so when we do make electric vehicles, and we give the American people a choice about purchasing those vehicles, they are made with American materials mined and refined in America by American workers rather than putting money in the pockets of the Chinese Communist Party. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to think about what the future looks like. We need to rein in the EPA's egregious rule mandating electric vehicles. Let me remind you, Republicans are not opposed to electric vehicles. I have a lot of friends who own electric vehicles. Not very many of them live in Appalachia, rural communities, where they are impractical and unaffordable, but if we want to empower the American people with choice, then we need to roll back this EV mandate because the day will come when the only choice that people will have is to buy a car that is manufactured in China by China. That will be the only thing that is going to be available because we can't get permits here in America to do our mining and refining of those critical materials. China has already sent signals that they are going to start and have already started withholding those critical materials that we need to make electric vehicles. The Chinese are setting a trap. God forbid if we let the Biden administration force us to fall into that trap. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act. I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the CARS Act is to permit Americans, not the executive branch of the Federal Government, to continue deciding what type of car makes the most sense for them. The purpose is not to reopen decades-old requirements that Americans have become accustomed to with their cars, and which manufacturers consider to be standard--whether it is the catalytic converter or the onboard diagnostic system, especially because those regulations were not trying to do away with an engine type--but, rather, to just address the most harmful pollution coming from that car. Rather than creating any confusion for EPA, automakers, or the public, or leading to unintended consequences or unnecessary litigation, this amendment sets a limit on how far back in time the provisions of H.R. 4468 apply. Instead of applying to any regulation ever issued in the history of the authority provided under Clean Air Act section 202(a), the manager's amendment caps the retroactivity of the bill's provisions to section 202(a) regulations, including revisions, proposed or prescribed on or after January 1, 2021. By adding this date, the legislation focuses on pushing back on regulations that would have the Federal Government, and not Americans, decide what kinds of cars they should be able to drive. For over 100 years, Americans have been free to buy their own mode of transportation based upon what is available, reliable, affordable, and functional for their lives. Quite frankly, it was because of these criteria that electric vehicles never took off with American consumers, but the Model T did. The Congressional Budget Office has concluded that adopting this amendment would have an insignificant net effect on the deficit. I urge all Members to support the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, that was my closing, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa), my friend and colleague, to close.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams), an auto dealer.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 906, I call up the bill (H.R. 4468) to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a proposed rule with respect to emissions from vehicles, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce).

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation and to include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 4468.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act, and I urge all Members to support its passage. America's economy is at its best when innovation, free enterprise, and consumer choice rule the day. This formula once made America a world leader in the automotive sector. Unfortunately, some key decisionmakers have forgotten that. Elected officials, government regulators, and auto manufacturers eager to appease their liberal overlords, especially those in the Biden administration, need a reminder of that fact. It is troubling that this administration, in a faltering economy, would try to replace reliable, available, functional, and affordable transportation for hardworking Americans with something far less reliable, far less available, far less functional, and far less affordable. Under EPA's recent tailpipe proposal, two-thirds of all new cars being sold in America must be electric-powered vehicles by 2032. That is only 8 years from now. The American people did not ask for this. While the average price of an EV reportedly fell 22.4 percent in the last year in response to lack of demand and government subsidies, they are still far more expensive than a liquid fuel vehicle. There are also hidden costs: $500 extra annually for insurance; at least $4,000 for battery replacement, and that is the bottom; $1,200 to $2,500 for home charging equipment. That is after you pay to rewire your home. Range anxiety is still a real concern. EVs need more frequent and much longer stops for charges. The average EV gets about 234 miles per charge compared to 403 miles with a gas fill-up. Plus, cold weather, battery size, and towing weight can shrink battery range significantly. Any way you look at it, working-class Americans who need reliable and affordable transportation would take a hit from a mandate eliminating their options. This bill protects our constituents, allowing them to buy the automobile that makes the most sense for them. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 4468, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Madam Speaker, this bill does not prevent the EPA from finalizing a rule. It only tells the EPA that it cannot mandate a specific technology and prevents the EPA from issuing rules that limit a vehicle's availability based on engine type. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers), the chair of the full committee.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), the author of the bill.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde), the co-lead for this bill.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I have tremendous respect for my colleague that just spoke, but I have to say that this idea that electric vehicles are emission-free is totally unfounded. In fact, it is totally false. All you have to do is look at where the raw materials come from. Look at how China produces those materials. There are lots of emissions. If the argument is legitimate that we are going to saves lives here, we are going to cost lives over there because they are not concerned about the climate. They are not concerned with the environment, they are not concerned about the people that they use--slave labor in many cases--to try to harvest the materials that make these electric vehicles in the first place. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon).

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Madam Speaker, we actually agree on some things with our Democrat colleagues. We agree that we ought to keep the environment clean: the air, water, and land. But throwing money at it, like my Democrat colleagues are trying to do, is not the answer to the problem. This rule would result in lost middle-class jobs in the United States because we can't get new facilities and infrastructure even permitted to do these things under the current administration. Until that happens, America will be heavily reliant on China. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko).

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Madam Speaker, again, I agree, vote America. I urge my Democrat colleagues to remember that fossil fuels have raised more people around this planet across the globe out of poverty than any other fuel source on the planet, and America knows how to do that best. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence), my friend and colleague on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber).

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Mr. Georgia (Mr. Allen).

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Balderson), my friend, colleague, and neighbor.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger), my friend and outstanding member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Fulcher).

Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte).