WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Biden administration is moving ahead with its plan to install half a million electric vehicle charging stations across the country.
However, the parts to make them are tied up in a debate between the White House and Congress.
“I will hold them accountable,” said U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin,( D-W.Va.)
Manchin was one of a handful of Democrats to buck his party and support legislation to reverse White House requirements for electric vehicle charging stations.
“They want to move quickly to EVs when we can’t support it,” Manchin said.
A temporary waiver allows some foreign-made parts in government-funded EV chargers. It’s an effort to give companies time to catch up with the administration’s “Buy America” requirements, but the House and Senate both voted to scrap the waiver.
“China has a complete, absolute, dominant control all over the world,” Manchin said.
President Joe Biden agrees China poses a threat to the EV supply chain.
“China is determined to dominate that market,” Biden said.
But the president ultimately vetoed lawmakers’ push Wednesday, arguing their legislation would harm domestic manufacturing and American jobs. The veto came the same day President Biden won the endorsement of the United Auto Workers, the union that’s called on him to protect their jobs as his administration prioritizes EVs.
“Existing union workers should have the first shot at those jobs,” Biden said.
Still, Manchin doesn’t want the president to have the last word on the issue.
“We should be able to override that veto,” he said.
The Senate is expected to consider that in the coming week.
