Understanding H.R. 4117: The Fuel Emissions Freedom Act and Its Industry Ramifications

Representative Roger Williams recently introduced H.R. 4117, known as the Fuel Emissions Freedom Act, which has already garnered 2 cosponsors since its introduction on June 24, 2025. This legislative proposal represents a significant attempt to reshape how the United States regulates vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency standards. The 4117 bill represents one of the most ambitious regulatory rollback initiatives in recent congressional history, with far-reaching implications for manufacturers, consumers, and environmental policy.

The Core Objectives Behind H.R. 4117

At its foundation, H.R. 4117 aims to fundamentally alter the existing framework governing fuel emissions and efficiency. The bill’s sponsors argue that current environmental regulations create unnecessary compliance burdens, particularly for smaller manufacturers struggling to adapt to frequently evolving standards. They contend that eliminating these overlapping regulations would reduce production costs, lower vehicle prices for consumers, and restore competitive advantages to the U.S. automotive sector.

The proposed legislation would eliminate Section 202 of the Clean Air Act, which currently establishes federal motor vehicle emission standards. More significantly, it would strip away Section 209, effectively preventing individual states from implementing their own stricter emissions standards—a provision that would centralize regulatory authority at the federal level and eliminate state autonomy in environmental protection.

Additionally, H.R. 4117 targets Title 49 of the U.S. Code, proposing the repeal of automobile fuel economy standards. This dual approach to deregulation would create an environment where no federal or state entity maintains authority to enforce vehicle emissions or efficiency requirements.

How Auto Manufacturers Could Be Affected

The implications of H.R. 4117 for major automotive players vary significantly based on their current business strategies. General Motors Company (GM), as one of America’s largest auto producers, operates under production models optimized for current regulatory requirements. Any elimination of these standards could either reduce compliance costs or require GM to fundamentally restructure its manufacturing approach.

Toyota Motor Corporation ™ faces unique considerations, having invested substantially in hybrid and electric vehicle technology in anticipation of stricter future regulations. Should H.R. 4117 pass, Toyota’s competitive advantages in eco-friendly vehicles might diminish, potentially altering the company’s long-term product development strategy and market positioning.

Ford Motor Company (F), similarly positioned as a major domestic manufacturer, would need to reassess its product lineup and compliance infrastructure. The regulatory shift proposed by bill 4117 would eliminate certain compliance costs but could also reduce differentiation opportunities for manufacturers marketing low-emission vehicles.

Market and Regulatory Implications

If enacted, H.R. 4117 would represent an unprecedented rollback of environmental regulations. All existing federal and state emissions standards would be nullified, creating a largely unregulated market for vehicle emissions. This deregulation could potentially lower vehicle prices and increase manufacturer profitability in the short term, though it might create long-term uncertainty regarding future regulatory environments and international trade standards.

The fragmented regulatory landscape that currently exists—where states like California maintain their own standards—would be eliminated entirely, replacing complexity with uniformity, though at the cost of reducing environmental protections.

Representative Roger Williams: Political Profile and Financial Standing

Representative Roger Williams brings substantial personal wealth to his legislative role. According to Quiver Quantitative’s analysis as of mid-2025, Representative Williams maintains an estimated net worth of $74.6 million, placing him among the wealthiest members of Congress—specifically the 15th highest. His publicly traded investment portfolio totals approximately $351.3K that Quiver is able to track in real-time.

Beyond H.R. 4117, Representative Williams has been prolific in legislative proposals, having recently introduced multiple bills including the Stop the Subsidized Green Energy Scam Act (H.R. 4118), the Protect the First Amendment Act (H.R. 4067), and the Federal Reserve Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (H.R. 3173), among others.

Stock Trading Activity and Investment Patterns

Representative Williams’ personal investment strategy provides insight into his financial positioning. According to STOCK Act filings, documented trades totaling up to $380,000 reveal notable transactions. Particularly significant was his June 2022 purchase of up to $15,000 in Eli Lilly and Company (LLY), which has appreciated 139.85% since that purchase date, demonstrating considerable investment gains.

Other notable trades include a June 2021 purchase of Disney (DIS) shares valued at up to $15,000, which has subsequently declined 30.69%. A more cautious position was taken with a March 2024 sale of Pfizer (PFE) shares, which have fallen 3.65% in the interim. Less fortunate was his June 2022 purchase of Southern Bank Financial Corporation (SBFM) shares, valued at up to $15,000, which has experienced a devastating 99.93% decline—effectively becoming worthless.

His February 2019 divestment from General Electric (GE) shares, sold for approximately $15,000, proved strategically questionable, as GE has subsequently risen 355.58%, representing a missed opportunity for substantial gains.

Representative Williams’ financial holdings and trading patterns reflect a diversified investment approach across pharmaceutical, technology, and financial sectors, though with decidedly mixed performance outcomes across his documented transactions.