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- Senate Republicans are set to vote on repealing California’s vehicle emissions waiver, which allows stricter emissions standards than federal regulations.
- The waiver includes a mandate to phase out new gas-powered cars by 2035, replacing them with electric vehicles (EVs).
- The move is part of a broader debate over the use of the Congressional Review Act to overturn regulatory actions.
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Essential Context
Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, are preparing to vote on resolutions aimed at blocking California’s stringent vehicle emissions standards. These standards, approved by the Biden administration, include a requirement that all new vehicles sold in California be electric by 2035.
Core Players
- John Thune – Senate Majority Leader
- Gavin Newsom – Governor of California
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Issued the emissions waiver to California
- California Air Resources Board (CARB) – Implemented the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations
Key Numbers
- 2035 – Year by which California aims to phase out new gas-powered cars
- 100% – Percentage of new light- and medium-duty vehicle sales in California that must be EVs or plug-in hybrids by 2035
- 2024 – Model year when California’s Advanced Clean Truck Regulation begins
- A dozen – Number of states that have followed California’s lead in adopting stricter emissions standards
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The Catalyst
The current standoff is triggered by the Biden administration’s decision to restore California’s authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards, which was revoked by President Trump in 2019.
“The administration claims it’s a rule. The GAO has declared otherwise. The United States Senate will weigh in on this matter and take action to prevent what I believe, along with many Americans, would be a disastrous outcome – an EV mandate enforced nationwide,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Inside Forces
The Republican strategy involves using the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to eliminate regulations with a simple majority, bypassing the usual 60-vote threshold. Democrats have criticized this approach as a “nuclear option” that disrupts Senate protocols.
California’s emissions standards are part of a broader effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition away from fossil fuels, as outlined in Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-20 in 2020.
Power Dynamics
The Senate Republicans’ move reflects a power struggle between federal and state authorities over environmental regulation. California’s unique position under the Clean Air Act allows it to set standards that other states can follow, potentially influencing national policy.
Governor Newsom has been vocal in his support for California’s emissions standards, challenging the Senate to “side with China or America” in terms of environmental leadership.
Outside Impact
The outcome of this vote could have broader implications for the automotive industry and environmental policy nationwide. If the waiver is repealed, it could halt the momentum of states adopting stricter emissions standards and slow the transition to electric vehicles.
Consumer and environmental groups are likely to oppose the repeal, while industry groups may see it as a relief from stringent regulations.
Future Forces
The vote sets a precedent for how Congress will handle state-level environmental regulations in the future. It also highlights the ongoing debate over the role of federal versus state authority in setting environmental policies.
Key areas to watch include the implementation of the Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation and the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, which are designed to reduce emissions from medium and heavy-duty vehicles and light-duty vehicles, respectively.
Data Points
- 2019: President Trump administration revokes California’s emissions waiver
- 2020: Governor Newsom announces plan to ban new gas-powered cars by 2035
- 2024: Biden administration restores California’s emissions waiver
- May 2025: House passes resolutions to block California’s emissions standards; Senate prepares to vote
The battle over California’s vehicle emissions standards underscores the complex interplay between federal and state powers in environmental policy. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of electric vehicles, emissions regulations, and the broader climate agenda.
