926 



HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



THE AUTOMOTIVE BILL GOES TO THE WHITE HOUSE 



The Senate acted speedily on the bill. When the conference com- 

 mittee assembled, the conferees agreed on a $25 million authorization 

 the first year and $75 million the second, with subsequent authoriza- 

 tions in the 5-vear program to be determined later. Goldwater was 

 pleased that the conference committee had stuck closely to the House 

 bill. He saw that the Goldwater safeguards were preserved, allaying 

 his fears of a massive Federal encroachment on private industry. He 

 wound up voting for the conference report on August 31. He told the 

 House: 



I think that this bill demonstrates how the legislative process can work effec- 

 tively and responsibly to provide full and open consideration of proposals and al- 

 ternative viewpoints. 



Brown and Mosher both expressed pride in the product of the con- 

 ference committee. Mosher in particular was pleased with the new 

 partnership between Government and industry. He told the House on 

 August 31: 



This automotive partnership will see ERDA and NASA serving as a •'technical 

 broker" between industry and the regulatory agencies; I feel certain they have the 

 technical credibility to make it work. 



The conference report was adopted by a margin which seemed veto- 

 proof, 344-39; Esch of the motor State of Michigan was the lone 

 committee member registered in opposition. 



PRESIDENT FORD VETOES AUTOMOTIVE BILL 



President Ford sent down a sharp veto message which charged that 

 the carefully developed legislation "would unnecessarily duplicate 

 existing authorities and extend into areas private industry is best 

 equipped to pursue." The President contended that both ERDA and 

 the Department of Transportation "already have sufficient authority" 

 to develop new automobile engines. The Michigan-born President 

 noted that "private industry has substantial expertise and interest in 

 the development and production of advanced automobiles," and that 

 the Federal Government should "not extend into borderline com- 

 mercial areas which private industry is best able to perform." 



As the 1976 Congress drew toward a close, the committee pulled 

 out all stops to mobilize support to override the President's veto. 

 There was an air of confidence, based on the huge affirmative vote 

 rolled up for adoption of the conference report, as well as the success 

 of the committee in organizing the overriding of the electric vehicle 

 bill veto. Brown wrote his colleagues on September 28: 



