There is a consensus among the economists testifying that the reasons for slower growth are the same reasons for the current recession: higher taxes on labor and capital and an increase in costly regulations over the past three years. The current recession is a man-made even, not a natural one, and the price the American people have paid has been high.
As the economy languishes and the presidential election nears, politicians of both parties are searching for ways to stimulate the economy and promote economic growth.
The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program was part of legislation enacted in 1975 to reduce American dependence on foreign oil. Studies show that the CAFE is already responsible for 2,200 to 3,900 additional traffic dealths per model year fleet because it has forced a decrease in vehicle weight, putting smaller, less safe cars on the road. Raising the CAFE standards would more than double the number of CAFE-caused fatalities.