Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told lawmakers on Wednesday that his agency's freeze on EV charging money is intended to get the program right.
Why it matters: The administration's handling of IRA and infrastructure law money has raised legal questions and will be crucial to bipartisan dealmaking on permitting and surface transportation legislation.
Driving the news: The Biden administration's guidance to implement the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program "wasn't working," Duffy told Senate Environment and Public Works.
- He noted that few chargers have actually been built since the program became law as part of the IIJA.
- "I think if you pass a bill saying we should build out American infrastructure with charging stations, we should build charging stations. We shouldn't pay people to not have charging stations," Duffy said.
- He also said staff cuts at DOT haven't impacted infrastructure grant approvals.
Between the lines: The hearing formally kicked off debate on a surface transportation bill to reauthorize IIJA programs expiring in 2026.
- It'll be part of the larger debate about permitting — if Democrats are satisfied with the administration's answers on Trump EOs and frozen money.
- Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse said that although he's eager to work on permitting, "I can't do any of that while the Trump administration blockades authorized and appropriated funds for approved projects, particularly if it blockades selectively."
Zoom in: Duffy's move to suspend NEVI raised legal questions and sowed confusion among state agencies tasked with actually building the chargers.
- The Biden administration had allocated $3.3 billion in NEVI money, but much of it hadn't actually been spent — and many states are now at a standstill.
- Duffy indicated that the NEVI money would ultimately be spent as Congress intended, but he also left the door open for lawmakers to reprogram it: "That'll be your all's decision."
- Sen. Cynthia Lummis has a bill, which she raised during the hearing, that would reprogram stuck NEVI funds for roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
The bottom line: NEVI is an important bellwether for how the Trump administration will handle program cuts and changes as DOGE fervor dissipates after the first 100 days.
