Rep. Mace Urges Trump Admin to Release $285M for South Carolina Mercedes EV Plant

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) has privately urged the Trump administration to release approximately $285 million in federal funding for a Mercedes-Benz Vans plant near Charleston to convert to electric vehicle production, a project expected to create 800 jobs and attract additional investment to the region. The funds are part of a $1.8 billion grant program established under President Joe Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act to support at-risk auto plants transitioning to electric vehicles. Despite the Trump administration's broader efforts to withhold funding for Biden-era climate initiatives and repeal clean energy incentives, Mace emphasized the local economic importance of the grant and supported Trump's agenda of fiscal responsibility while arguing federal investments should prioritize sustained economic growth. This request highlights a tension among GOP lawmakers between backing Trump's push to cut what they view as wasteful spending and protecting jobs in their districts that benefit from Biden's programs. Mace's spokeswoman described the grant as a major opportunity for South Carolina, and the Energy Department is reviewing the funding to ensure compliance with legal and administrative priorities. The situation underscores the complex dynamics within the Republican Party regarding climate policy and economic development.