BLUMENTHAL, MARKEY STATEMENT ON VOLKSWAGEN GUILTY PLEA

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) issued the following statement today after Volkswagen pleaded guilty to three felony counts as part of an agreement with the Department of Justice to settle charges related to the automaker’s vehicle emission scandal.

“VW rightfully pleaded guilty today following a years-long campaign of deception, deceit and pollution. The Department of Justice should continue to vigorously pursue its criminal investigation against VW executives who knowingly and intentionally misled regulators, polluted our air, threatened people’s health and deceived consumers. These executives must be held responsible for their actions,” Blumenthal and Markey said.

Last year, Markey and Blumenthal and U.S. Representatives Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) introduced the Compensating Losses to the Environment from Automobiles with Noxious Undisclosed Pollution(CLEAN-UP) Act, legislation that would deny Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) credits to any auto manufacturer that circumvents emissions control requirements and would use monies collected from automakers that violate the law to be made available to programs that restore and improve air quality. The Senators also urged VW to ensure that owners of VW vehicles containing emission defeat devices are offered multiple options for adequate compensation for the damages and inconveniences incurred on them by the company’s deception.