{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=6105F5A5-7CA8-4713-8C31-5611AEA471B7", "Heller Introduces Bill to Stop Federal Government from Devastating Amateur Motorsports", "2016-03-09", "2016", "2016-03", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Dean Heller", "H001041", "www.heller.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Senators Dean Heller (R-NV), Richard Burr (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016, or the RPM Act, which will prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from cracking down on amateur race car mechanics and hobbyists. The rule proposed last year by the EPA runs counter to existing law and Congressional intent, and threatens the very existence of amateur motorsports in the United States. The RPM ACT will keep the Obama administration from yet another federal overreach of its regulatory powers.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u201cHaving been surrounded by amateur motorsports my entire life, this latest overreach by the Administration continues to serve as a testament to the lengths the EPA will go to regulate Americans,\u201d said Senator Heller.\u00a0 \u201cCongress never intended for the EPA to regulate vehicles used solely for competition, especially ones used exclusively for racing. As a race car driver, mechanic, and automotive enthusiast, this legislation will allow many hobbyists to continue doing what we love and enjoy.\u201d\r\n\u201cFor decades, Congresses and previous Administrations have made it clear that the EPA does not have the authority to regulate racing vehicles, but that hasn\u2019t stopped Obama\u2019s EPA from trying,\u201d said Senator Burr. \u201cThe EPA is attempting to tell the American people what they can do with their own cars, even though there is a deep tradition of hobbyists who have chosen to upgrade their vehicles for their own personal enjoyment, even when they are removed from public roads. This is Obama\u2019s nanny state at its worst, and it\u2019s a direct threat to amateur motorsports in the country.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe EPA is again attempting to overstep its authority; this time to regulate one of our nation\u2019s most beloved traditions - motorsports,\u201d said Senator Capito, a member of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. \u201cFrom local tracks to family garages across the state, West Virginia\u2019s passion for American motorsports runs deep. This legislation will put the brakes on an out of control EPA and protect racecar enthusiasts in West Virginia and nationwide.\u201d\r\n\u201cCompetitive motorsports has a long and storied history in North Carolina and I am pleased to support this commonsense legislation that will stop the continued and unnecessary federal overreach by the EPA,\u201d said Senator Tillis.\r\nA companion bill, H.R. 4715, was introduced in the House of Representatives this week.\r\nThe RPM Act of 2016 prevents the EPA from cracking down on amateur race car mechanics and hobbyists and reaffirms what Congress\u2019 position has always been on the regulation of vehicles used solely for competitive purposes.\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=6105F5A5-7CA8-4713-8C31-5611AEA471B7"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.1623837053775787, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}