Why It Matters

General Motors faces a regulatory earthquake: federal EV tax credits eliminated, emissions standards rolled back, and tariff costs exceeding $10 billion annually for U.S. automakers. GM’s third quarter lobbying blitz—targeting CAFE standards, EV tax provisions, trade policy, and defense contracts—reflects a pivot from market-driven EV growth to policy-dependent survival.

The company seeks legislative carve-outs as broad EV incentives vanish, favorable USMCA renegotiation treatment, and expanded defense appropriations. Success means partial EV credit restoration, supply chain protection, and government contracting revenue replacing consumer incentives.

By the Numbers

GM maintains Washington’s most consistent automotive lobbying presence, spending over $230 million since 2003 across 79 in-house disclosures and 80+ external firms. The Q3 2025 spend continues this internal advocacy approach rather than pivoting to outside counsel. It spent $4.96 million in the third quarter.

GM’s nine-person team boasts deep bipartisan credentials: Eric J. Feldman, former Chief of Staff to Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI); Elizabeth Drummond Griffin, ex-House Armed Services Committee staff; and Hollyn Kidd Schuermann, former House Energy and Commerce clerk. Veteran Joseph L. Guzzo has represented GM since 2010, providing continuity across administrations.

The Agenda

GM’s priorities span trade and market access—particularly tariffs and USMCA renegotiation—alongside automotive regulation covering supply chain integrity, connected vehicles, and NHTSA reauthorization.

Environmental policy represents a major focus: fuel economy regulations, CAFE standards, and EV reduction rules. Tax issues include corporate provisions and critically, EV tax credits under sections 30D, 45W, and 45X.

Defense appropriations constitute significant opportunity, with GM seeking FY 2026 funding for armored vehicles, Infantry Squad Vehicles, and tactical electrification. The company monitors bills including H.R. 1, H.R. 979, and H.R. 3838.

Broader Context

GM’s lobbying unfolds amid regulatory reversal and supply chain chaos. The Trump administration’s June 2025 rule decoupled fuel economy from emissions credits, while July’s "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" eliminated federal EV tax credits effective September 30. Industry analysts now project EV market share reaching only 30 percent by 2030.

Tariffs cost U.S. automakers over $10 billion through October 2025, forcing manufacturing realignments. First Brands Group’s September bankruptcy—directly triggered by tariff policy—exposed systemic supply chain vulnerabilities.

Defense presents opportunity: GM Defense partnered with BAE Systems for UK contracts, complementing substantial U.S. defense work.

Between The Lines

The Transportation Freedom Act (H.R. 2814/S. 711) proposes repealing greenhouse gas and CAFE standards—GM’s top lobbying concern—while offering 200% tax deductions on manufacturing wages.

A January 2025 House NHTSA hearing addressed autonomous vehicle safety standards, central to GM’s lobbying on connected vehicle technology. The Vehicle Safety Research Act, championed by Sen. Gary Peters—whose former chief of staff leads GM’s lobbying—seeks expanded NHTSA data-sharing for driver assistance systems.

The Auto Bailout Accident Victims Recovery Act (H.R. 5331) threatens to waive statute of limitations on lawsuits from GM’s 2009 restructuring, creating reputational and financial risk GM must manage legislatively.

Competitive Landscape

Stellantis announced $13 billion U.S. investment responding to tariff exposure, directly competing with GM for favorable trade treatment. Waymo featured prominently in House AV safety hearings, pressuring GM’s autonomous vehicle regulatory strategy.

First Brands’ tariff-driven collapse highlights systemic supply chain vulnerabilities affecting all automakers, underscoring GM’s focus on "supply chain integrity" lobbying.

The Bottom Line

GM’s $4.96 million third quarter lobbying reflects industry-wide disruption: eliminated EV incentives, rewritten emissions standards, and supply chain chaos. The company faces competing forces—regulatory rollbacks reducing EV support, but tariff policies incentivizing domestic manufacturing where GM has substantial capacity. With First Brands’ bankruptcy exposing supply vulnerabilities, GM’s lobbying on trade policy and supply chain integrity remains critical to operational viability.