Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) issued a statement after the House of Representatives passed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contained his amendment to repeal the Biden-era mandate for electric military vehicles.
As The Floridian previously reported, the mandate introduced by the Biden Administration in 2021 sought to gradually transition all military vehicles to alternative fuel sources by 2035, a goal that the United States Army has struggled to achieve.
The American Enterprise Institute's John Ferrari called the mandate "a purely political directive by the Biden administration."
Rep. Patronis echoed the sentiment in a statement, saying, "as a former State Fire Marshal and someone who represents a district with multiple military installations along the Gulf Coast, I know firsthand the importance of reliable, safe vehicles for our servicemembers."
"Electric vehicles, when exposed to saltwater, can experience dangerous runaway battery fires," Rep. Patronis continued. He previously discussing the danger of EVs exposed to saltwater with The Floridian in the wake of Hurricane Ian in October 2022, where he criticized electric vehicle company Tesla for failing to cooperate in response to EV-induced fires.
"That's not a risk we can afford on coastal bases that are critical to America's readiness," the Florida Congressman added. "I'm proud that my amendment was included in the NDAA, and I congratulate my colleagues in the House for passing this vital piece of legislation that ensures our military has the tools it needs to keep our nation safe, protect American interests around the globe, and advance our agenda of peace through strength."
Patronis highlighted other provisions of the 2026 NDAA in his press release, such as repealing all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, programs, and authorities, forbidding the Department of War from contracting with advertising firms that are hostile to conservative sources, and preventing funding from going to colleges that have failed to prevent or mitigate antisemitic protests on campus.
