Reps. Polidori, Donigan, Valentine, Spade, Cushingberry, Robert Jones, Meadows, Rick Jones, Steil, Hopgood, Gonzales, Acciavatti, Bieda, Constan, Byrnes, Leland, Alma Smith, Condino, Dean, Lemmons, Kathleen Law, Clack, Hammon, Hammel, Pearce, Melton, Vagnozzi, Warren, Mayes and Sak offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 165.

A resolution to memorialize the United States Congress to enact H.R. 2927, which responsibly balances achievable fuel economy increases with important economic and social concerns, including consumer demand.

            Whereas, H.R. 2927 sets tough fuel economy standards without off ramps or loopholes, by requiring separate car and truck standards to meet a total fleet fuel economy between 32 and 35 mpg by 2022 -- an increase of as much as 40 percent over current fuel economy standards -- and requires vehicle fuel economy to be increased to the maximum feasible level in the years leading up to 2022; and

            Whereas, H.R. 2927, while challenging, will provide automakers more reasonable lead time to implement technology changes in both the near and long term. Model year 2008 vehicles are already available today, and product and manufacturing planning is done through Model Year 2012. H.R. 2927 recognizes the critical need for engineering lead times necessary for manufacturers to make significant changes to their fleets; and

            Whereas, H.R. 2927 respects consumer choice by protecting the important functional differences between passenger cars and light trucks/SUVs. Last year, 2006, was the sixth year in a row that Americans bought more trucks, minivans, and SUVs than passenger cars, because they value attributes such as passenger and cargo load capacity, four-wheel drive, and towing capability that most cars are not designed to provide; and

            Whereas, While some would like fuel economy increases to be much more aggressive and be implemented with much less lead time, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards must be set at levels and in time frames that do not impose economic harm on the manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and others in the auto industry; and

            Whereas, Proponents of unrealistic and unattainable CAFE standards cite Europe's 35 mpg fuel economy, without ever mentioning Europe's $6 per gallon gasoline prices, the high sales of diesel vehicles, the high proportion of Europeans driving manual transmission vehicles (80 percent in Europe vs. 8 percent in the U.S.), the significant differences in the size mix of vehicles, or that trucks and SUVs are virtually nonexistent among Europe households; and

            Whereas, Proponents of unreasonable CAFE standards claim they will save consumers billions, but they neglect to talk about the upfront costs of such changes to the manufacturers of meeting unduly strict CAFE standards -- more than $100 billion, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration -- which will lead to vehicle price increases of several thousand dollars; and

            Whereas, Proponents of unrealistic CAFE standards ignore the potential safety impacts of downsized vehicles on America's highways and overlook the historical role and critical importance of manufacturing plants to our national and economic security. They seem unconcerned about threats to the 7.5 million jobs that are directly and indirectly dependent on a vibrant auto industry in the United States. They also seem unconcerned about maintaining CAFE rules that require the continuance of small car production in the United States; and

            Whereas, H.R. 2927 is a reasonable bill that balances a number of important public policy concerns. The bill represents a tough but fair compromise that deserves serious consideration and support; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the United States Congress to enact H.R. 2927, which responsibly balances achievable fuel economy increases with important economic and social concerns, including consumer demand; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.