U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) is calling out Democrat states for placing burdensome regulations on businesses, which has resulted in higher costs for consumers.

“Far-left states like California have weaponized the Clean Air Act to create expensive, burdensome and unworkable requirements that hurt businesses and make everyday life more expensive,” Palmer said.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, Palmer gaveled in a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing examining 10 pieces of legislation to modernize the Clean Air Act’s mobile source requirements Wednesday.

“This hearing continues the committee’s efforts to modernize the Clean Air Act to reflect the modern landscape of air emissions and trends,” he said. “At the core of the Clean Air Act is the idea that we can protect our environment without sacrificing economic growth, but it’s been decades since Congress updated the act, causing many of its outdated provisions to become burdensome and counterproductive to its original goals.”

The hearing was titled Rules of the Road: Examining Legislation to Modernize the Clean Air Act’s Mobile Source Requirements.

During the hearing, the congressman singled out certain regulations in California that would have negative ramifications on the economy nationwide.

“I have real concerns with allowing the state of California to set national emission standards for trains, cars, and all other mobile sources, especially given its track record of Green New Deal policies and EV mandates,” he explained. “Our vast nation depends on a complex and healthy transportation system. California should not dictate national policy. Congress needs to do its job and modernize the existing statute. We must revise existing law to meet modern life. If we do not, our nation’s families will pay the price.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee