North Columbus News

Today, Senator JD Vance announced his intention to join striking United Auto Workers (UAW) members on the picket line in Toledo. He aims to support their demands for higher wages and job security. "My message to the UAW leadership is simple: I will fight for American jobs and higher wages for American auto workers," stated Vance.

In an opinion piece published in Newsweek, Vance criticized the current state of the U.S. auto industry, which he believes has been adversely affected by offshoring and stagnant productivity. He highlighted that while sectors like technology and finance have thrived, many others have seen wage stagnation, making it difficult for families to sustain themselves on a single income.

Vance expressed concern over what he sees as a new threat facing American autoworkers: electrification. He argued that President Biden's push towards electric vehicles (EVs), through federal mandates and subsidies, would result in significant taxpayer expenses without corresponding consumer demand. According to Vance, "While progressives congratulate themselves on EVs being the cars of the future, car buyers don’t agree."

He further criticized Washington elites for allegedly ignoring the negative impacts of an all-EV auto industry. Vance claimed that much of the mining and manufacturing required for EV components occurs in China, which increases costs for American consumers while benefiting Chinese workers.

"The Biden administration’s forced transition to electric vehicles could destroy nearly half a million jobs over the next decade," warned Vance. He cited Northeast Ohio as an example where this policy has already had detrimental effects on employment.

To counter these developments, Vance introduced the Drive American Act aimed at ending what he calls "the EV madness." The bill proposes eliminating over $100 billion in EV subsidies initiated by President Biden and replacing them with credits for gas-powered vehicles manufactured in high-wage facilities within the United States.

Senator Vance concluded by calling upon Ohioans and Americans nationwide to reject what he describes as Biden's damaging focus on electric vehicles: "Now is the time to reject Joe Biden’s disastrous obsession with electric vehicles and rescue the American auto industry."