California’s ambitious plan to eliminate gas-powered vehicles by 2035 has hit a setback after the Senate overturned its rules concerning zero emissions.
In a vote of 51-44, lawmakers removed an exemption that allowed the state to pursue stricter regulations aimed at phasing out vehicles that use fossil fuels.
Notably, all attending members backed a resolution to roll back the regulations on cars and light trucks, joined by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.). Another resolution, which aims to curb tailpipe emissions from heavier vehicles, passed narrowly at 51-45 along party lines.
Both measures were endorsed by the House earlier this month and will soon be sent to President Trump’s desk for what is expected to be a signature approval.
The Parliamentary Review Act gives Parliament considerable power to assess and reject regulations enforced by administrative bodies through joint resolutions.
Everyone knows California had ambitious plans. They were set to phase out new gas-powered cars by the decade’s end.
The “resolution of disapproval” requires just a simple majority in both chambers, but it can still be vetoed by the President.
Last year, the EPA under Biden had provided various exemptions to California, permitting them to set stricter emissions standards than those outlined in the Clean Air Act.
Critics from the Republican side maintain that keeping California’s exemption established an unconstitutional precedent by allowing the state to dictate terms to the federal government.
Democrats have accused their counterparts of undermining Senate conventions during the vote regarding California’s emissions waiver.
Interestingly, at least 11 other states—representing around 40% of the U.S. auto market—were planning to align with California’s phased approach.
In response, California lawmakers, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, are prepared to pursue legal action to uphold the exemption. After the Senate’s votes, Newsom shared a graphic on X stating, “Trump’s GOP is turning American smogs into smogs again.”
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) expressed deep concerns about the potential fallout, arguing that the resolution threatens state rights to create their laws and safeguard their citizens.
To pass the resolution, Republicans needed to navigate around procedural hurdles, including securing a vote from Sen. Elizabeth McDonough.
Senate Majority Leader John Tune (R-SD) managed to push through another resolution targeting National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulations on hydrogen vehicle standards, which helped adjust the procedural framework for considering EPA exemptions.
Meanwhile, Democrats were quick to raise alarms, with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) lamenting the tactics employed as a “point of no return,” and criticized Republicans as “institutionalists on clear skies.”
