December 8, 2023

Preserving Americans’ Right to Choose Their Car   

The Biden administration is pushing a rule that would limit the availability of gas-powered cars by effectively mandating all new vehicles be electric by 2032. This rule would force American new car buyers to switch to electric vehicles.  

Problematically, China currently controls over 90 percent of the processing and refining supply chain capacity for the minerals required to power electric vehicles, meaning American manufacturers currently rely on one of our biggest adversaries. The federal government should not determine whether you buy an electric or gas-powered vehicle.  

I’m working in Congress to stop this costly mandate. This week, I voted yes to the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023 (H.R. 4468) to protect consumer choice by prohibiting the Biden administration from enforcing any proposed rule with regards to emissions from vehicles.

Keeping Foreign Adversaries Out of American Colleges  

American colleges and universities are susceptible to foreign influence. A new report from Network Contagion Research Institute found at least 200 academic institutions had withheld information on $13 billion in contributions from foreign nations. Additionally, a 2019 Senate report found that around 70 percent of all institutions failed to comply with section 117 of the Higher Education Act, which requires reporting gifts and funds from foreign regimes.

I helped pass a bill this week to force American education institutions to disclose their dealings with foreign regimes and increase transparency and oversight. The DETERRENT Act (H.R. 5933) holds American institutions of higher education to a stricter standard on reporting gifts, donations, and investments made to them by foreign adversaries, lays out the punishments institutions will face if they fail to comply, and protects American education from harmful and dangerous foreign influence.

Protecting American Taxpayers

Last year, the Biden administration made its first attempt to cancel all student loans. The Supreme Court correctly ruled this unconstitutional. Now, President Biden is making a second attempt to transfer the debt of those who went to college onto those who did not or who has already paid off their loans. The plan is estimated to cost taxpayers up to $559 billion—making it the most expensive regulation in history. 

This does nothing to address the cost of higher education. In fact, it will only make the problem worse. This week, I voted for H.J. Res. 88, which prohibits implementation of the Biden administration's second attempt to cancels student loans. American taxpayers should not be forced to repay student loan debt that doesn't belong to them. 

Happy Hanukkah!  

Happy Hanukkah! Now more than ever, we must stand with our Jewish friends as we witness a shameful rise in antisemitism worldwide. This week, I supported H.Res.894, strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. 

My Office is Here to Help 

My office will be holding staff-led mobile office hours through mid-December. I have offices in Janesville, Kenosha, Racine, St. Francis, Beloit, and Elkhorn ready to welcome people from Southeast Wisconsin. If you and your family live outside of these areas, mobile office hours are an excellent opportunity for you to connect directly with my staff. 

My staff will be ready to answer your questions and field your concerns about federal issues- no appointments are needed. You can find the dates, times, and locations for December mobile office hours here. 

On Wisconsin, 

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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