SHINGTON — House Democrats decided Wednesday not to try to raise fuel mileage standards for cars and trucks as part of the energy package lawmakers will vote on this week.
As Democrats put the finishing touches on a pair of bills they hope to pass out of the House on Friday, Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. — after consulting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. — announced he would withdraw an amendment designed to raise fuel mileage requirements to 35 miles per gallon by 2019.
Raising fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light trucks was the centerpiece of an energy bill the Senate approved in June. It would require automakers to achieve a 35 mile-per-gallon average for cars, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and minivans by 2020.
But House Democrats have been at war with themselves over fuel economy standards.
The nation's automakers and their allies on Capitol Hill — including House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., — had thrown their support behind a more modest fuel efficiency increase proposed by Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind. He has withdrawn the proposal.


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