WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Zero Emission Transportation Association’s Executive Director, Albert Gore, issued the following statement in response to today’s House Republican vote on its reconciliation package:

“The combination of smart industrial tax policy, private sector investment, and bipartisan federal support has created a manufacturing boom for the domestic electric vehicle, battery, and mineral supply chains, with more than 240,000 jobs in local communities across the country. A vote to dismantle that now is not just a policy misstep but a signal that the United States is retreating from its goal to be competitive with China in the battery and mineral sector.

“Existing manufacturing tax credits are performance-based federal investments to strengthen U.S. mineral and battery production against market manipulation by bad actors abroad. If this bill is enacted into law as currently written, members of Congress should not be surprised when critical mineral mining and refining projects stall and billions in manufacturing investments evaporate in states that have worked hard to attract these jobs and economic opportunities.

“ZETA and its member companies across the electric vehicle and battery supply chain urge the Senate to reconsider the language in this bill to ensure the domestic automotive industry has the tools it needs to compete globally and ensure the next era of U.S. automotive dominance. Absent changes, the House reconciliation package undermines the promising growth in the U.S. automotive, battery manufacturing, and critical mineral industries, and further aids China's dominance in those sectors.”