President Donald Trump swiftly signed a council resolution that eliminates the California Environmental Protection Agency’s exemption, which mandates an end to gas-powered car sales by 2035. This decision is likely to face opposition from California’s leaders.
Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democrats contend that this action misuses the Congressional Review Act, while Republican lawmakers argue that it’s a necessary measure to limit state regulations.
“I’m thankful that some people in Washington have common sense that our governor lacks here in California,” said Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) in a Thursday interview, emphasizing the financial burden of switching to electric vehicles.
Strickland mentioned, “We don’t have enough energy capacity. Imagine if everyone switched to electric cars—what kind of power outages could we face this summer?” with California’s infrastructure not expanding simultaneously.
During a press conference on Thursday, Newsom, along with Attorney General Rob Bonta, announced plans to sue the Trump administration.
There’s a legal debate regarding whether the Congressional Review Act applies here, especially since some claim that the waiver doesn’t count as a rule, creating uncertainty about potential actions.
Newsom stated that the electric vehicle market has been profitable for California, positioning the state as a leader in innovation and air quality improvement.
In the short term, however, rising gas prices and the potential closure of two refineries are on the governor’s radar, as he works to mitigate these issues.
When asked whether increasing gas prices might lead consumers to consider electric vehicles, Newsom responded that Californians are “finally in the driver’s seat.”
Newsom added, “I think it’s ultimately up to the consumer. The economic advantages of electric vehicles are becoming increasingly clear, particularly in light of factors like supply chain uncertainties and geopolitical issues affecting our energy future.”
In Washington, Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif) champions the success of his resolution, describing it as a “bipartisan national denial of total insanity.” Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comments.
