Washington (April 21, 2016) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), members of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after it was announced that Volkswagen (VW) reached a settlement that would pay each affected customer $5,000 and establish a compensation fund for VW owners.

“Volkswagen’s offer is a welcome development but too limited in scope and very late. VW should provide the same offer to all owners who were deceived in the exact same manner, not just those who purchased a 2.0 liter car. All affected owners deserve to be made whole for the damages and inconveniences caused by the company’s deceit. Federal authorities should continue to pursue criminal charges against VW executives who knowingly deceived regulators.”

In February, Senators Markey and Blumenthal and Reps. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) and Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) 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. 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.