Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) criticized Democratic lawmakers for their stance on American auto workers and electric vehicle (EV) production, following a vote against an amendment he proposed to an August 1 appropriations bill.

Rubio's amendment aimed to extend the made-in-America requirements of the federal government's largest EV tax credit, known as the "30D" credit, to all other federal EV subsidy programs. According to Rubio, this measure is essential as American automakers face significant competition from China, which has become the world's largest vehicle exporter through heavy government subsidies.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) had previously emphasized the need for a coherent industrial policy focused on domestic production with high standards. The UAW stated: “A coherent industrial policy that truly aims to build a resilient supply chain must focus federal investment on domestic production with high-road standards. Incentives that are open to foreign-made vehicles immediately undermine the purpose of industrial policy.”

Rubio expressed concern over what he described as weak responses from his Democratic colleagues, who opted for non-binding report language instead of concrete legislative action. He argued that Democrats' opposition to his amendment undermines existing protections in laws they initially supported.

He further accused Democrats of prioritizing green-energy special interest groups over American workers. Rubio cited an economist's view that allowing Chinese cars into the U.S. market might be cheaper and faster but would disrupt local industries and labor markets.

Rubio concluded by emphasizing the importance of supporting well-trained and highly paid American workers over importing cheaper products made under questionable labor conditions.