[Epoch Times] The White House announced on May 30 that President Joe Biden is formally withdrawing his nomination of Ann Carlson to be administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), just months after she was nominated to the top position.During her time at the administration, Carlson has overseen safety probes into Tesla, and efforts to reduce traffic deaths and boost vehicle fuel economy requirements. However, her nomination had faced fierce opposition from Republican leaders who raised concerns over Carlson’s track record at the agency, including her past environmentalist positions on climate issues.
In May, all 13 Republicans on the Senate Commerce Committee, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), signed a letter (pdf) to Carlson stating their concerns over her past work at NHTSA and past career which they said suggests "NHTSA intends to mimic the EPA’s draconian EV [electric vehicle] mandate."
The letter noted the EPA recently proposed emissions standards for new vehicles that are "so stringent they effectively mandate automakers produce electric vehicles even if Americans do not want them."