[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 63 (Thursday, April 11, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2410-S2411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Vehicle Innovation Act

  Mr. PETERS. Madam President, transportation is responsible for 
roughly two-thirds of our national consumption of petroleum and one of 
the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. But imagine a 
future where we could produce low-cost, secure clean energy 
technologies to move people and goods easily across our Nation. Imagine 
if we could then sell our advanced American technology and products to 
the rest of the world.
  Well, that is a future, by working together, we can indeed achieve. 
There is no question that the cars and trucks of the future can be 
equipped with technology to make them safer and more fuel efficient 
while also saving consumers money.
  Rapidly emerging technology has the potential not only to reduce air 
emissions, but their development could also create jobs in Michigan and 
across the Nation, and these are jobs that cannot be outsourced. We 
must ensure that the United States leads the way in developing these 
innovations. That is why I reintroduced the bipartisan Vehicle 
Innovation Act with my colleagues Senator Alexander and Senator 
Stabenow.
  The Vehicle Innovation Act promotes research and development 
investments in clean vehicle and advanced safety technologies. The bill 
also modernizes

[[Page S2411]]

the Vehicle Technologies Office within the Department of Energy, which 
exists to help create and sustain American leadership in the transition 
to a global clean energy economy.
  This office's leadership has already led to improvements in engine 
efficiency through vehicle weight reductions and reduced fuel 
production costs, and the Vehicle Innovation Act will help ensure that 
these continued innovations move forward.
  I am proud to again partner on this bill with Senator Alexander and 
fellow Michigander, Senator Debbie Stabenow. In the last Congress, we 
were able to pass the Vehicle Innovation Act through the Senate. Now, 
with fellow Michigan delegation Members, Congresswomen Debbie Dingell 
and Haley Stevens, leading this bill in the House, there is no reason 
this legislation should not be enacted into law.
  The bill is supported by labor, by industry, and by conservation 
groups, including the United Auto Workers, the Motor & Equipment 
Manufacturers Association, the Auto Alliance, the BlueGreen Alliance, 
and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
  America should lead the world in clean energy advancements, and I 
urge my colleagues to support the Vehicle Innovation Act.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.