Paul in September. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Sen. Rand Paul on Tuesday night stopped a unanimous consent request to pass a bill that would mandate AM radios in electric vehicles.
Why it matters: For the bill to pass the Senate, Democratic leadership in the Senate must either cue it up for a cloture vote or find a vehicle to attach it to.
Driving the news: Tuesday afternoon, Ted Cruz sought to pass his bill via unanimous consent. Paul objected, saying he'd support the measure only if it included axing EV benefits from the IRA.
- "There is a certain amount of irony in seeing Republicans come to the floor proposing mandates on business," Paul said on the floor. "Mandating that all cars have AM radio is antithetical to any notion of limited government."
- Paul offered an amendment to the bill aimed at opposing EVs more broadly. This led to a fiery exchange with Cruz's Democratic co-author, Ed Markey.
- "Let's not pump the brakes on new jobs in states across the country, including Kentucky — and let's not pump the brakes on riders and passengers receiving alerts during emergencies," Markey said.
Between the lines: Even though Paul's intentions are anti-EV, his opposition to the bill is undoubtedly to the benefit of the auto industry, as we've explained.
