Senate Republicans strike down California’s gas car ban waivers, triggering legal threats from blue states and backlash from climate activists.
At a Glance
- Senate voted 51–44 to revoke California’s emissions waivers authorizing a 2035 gas vehicle ban
- Congressional Review Act used to override Biden-era EPA waivers without a filibuster
- California and allies vowed to sue the federal government, calling the move illegal
- Seventeen other states and D.C. tied to California’s emissions policies could be impacted
- Critics call it a win for consumer choice and a blow to regulatory overreach
A Reprieve for Gas-Powered America
In a major blow to the Biden administration’s green transportation agenda, the U.S. Senate voted 51–44 to revoke California’s vehicle emissions waivers—a move that effectively halts the state’s plan to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Senator Elissa Slotkin was the lone Democrat to side with Republicans.
The vote was made possible by invoking the Congressional Review Act, bypassing the Senate filibuster despite the parliamentarian’s objections. The three EPA waivers allowed California to enforce stricter-than-federal emissions rules and triggered similar laws in 17 other states and Washington, D.C.
Watch a report: Senate GOP strikes down California car mandate.
Legal Showdown Looms
Within hours of the vote, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta vowed to sue, slamming the repeal as federal overreach. “California will not back down in the fight to protect clean air,” Newsom said in a statement. The administration is expected to argue the waivers fall under long-standing Clean Air Act provisions that permit California to set unique air quality standards due to its persistent pollution challenges.
But Republicans say the issue is bigger than emissions—it’s about who gets to set national economic and transportation policy. “This is about stopping California from dictating what the rest of the country can drive,” one GOP senator said during the floor debate.
Power to the States—or Just One?
At the core of the dispute is whether one state should wield enough regulatory authority to steer national policy. With 17 states plus D.C. adopting California’s strict emissions rules, about 40% of the U.S. auto market has essentially followed Sacramento’s lead. Critics say this daisy-chain approach bypasses Congress and forces automakers into premature EV transitions that many customers can’t afford or don’t want.
Watch a reaction: Newsmax: Senate blocks EV waivers.
Industry voices, particularly in the aftermarket automotive sector, have applauded the Senate vote, warning that California’s timelines and mandates would destabilize supply chains, drive up costs, and jeopardize hundreds of thousands of jobs in industries still reliant on internal combustion engines.
A Symbolic Rejection of the “Green Mandate”
Democrats claim the vote sets a dangerous precedent by undermining environmental protections through procedural loopholes. They also argue that revoking state autonomy stifles innovation in clean technology. But Republicans say they are defending consumer rights and market choice.
“This is a battle over whether government controls your driveway,” one Senate aide said.
With lawsuits pending and regulatory maneuvering expected, the clash over vehicle emissions is far from over. But for now, the Senate’s action has pumped the brakes on what many viewed as California’s backdoor attempt to nationalize its EV agenda—without ever winning the debate in Congress.
