There was a time when Republicans and Democrats came together on issues like clean air and water, but those days feel distant now. It’s hard to believe that figures like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan once championed the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol.
This week, however, Senate Republicans are set to misuse Congressional review laws to undermine California’s environmental efforts, particularly its clean air measures. Removing California’s clean air exemption feels like a direct attack on decades of progress that started back in 1967 when Governor Reagan created the state’s Air Resources Commission.
California’s regulations, which have been adopted by 17 other states, have pushed American automakers to innovate and compete in the global market. In fact, global sales of electric vehicles surged by 35% in the first quarter of 2025, largely due to more affordable electric models. Innovations from companies based in California are at risk, especially as they try to maintain their edge in international markets.
Currently, China dominates the electric vehicle manufacturing sector, accounting for over 70% of global production. In fact, Chinese imports significantly boosted EV sales in emerging economies in 2024. Meanwhile, the U.S. has become a net importer of electric vehicles. Rather than taking steps to change this, some Republicans and automotive industry leaders seem resigned to it.
California has collaborated with the auto industry for over 50 years to establish reasonable and effective air quality standards, and until now, the relationship has been mutually beneficial.
But if they roll back these standards, it could jeopardize the progress made in manufacturing and could threaten thousands of solid jobs in the automotive sector.
It seems that, for some Republicans, clean air and reliable jobs aren’t high on their list of priorities. What does matter to them is still a bit of a mystery, but it’s certainly not the well-being of American workers.
In 2021, Ford announced plans for a $5.8 billion battery manufacturing facility in Glendale, Kentucky, which is expected to create almost 5,000 jobs. Similarly, Toyota committed to investing $8 billion in North Carolina, part of a larger $14 billion investment in cleaner vehicles and energy solutions, which could bring 3,000 jobs to that area.
These investments thrived under clean car policies that helped these companies remain competitive globally, so one has to wonder what the future holds if those policies are discarded.
It seems the intention is to stifle the very progress that has been made, potentially jeopardizing investment in Republican-held areas. Losing this fight could mean ceding ground not only on California’s clean car initiatives but also in future political realms.
California’s clean car regulations serve as a critical test for the United States’ clean vehicle strategy moving forward. Automakers are investing in electric vehicles as a means to cut emissions while fostering an economy that aligns with progressive values, all in a bid to protect against possible economic downturns.
If Republicans succeed in dismantling these standards, we might be paving the way for China to further dominate the global car market. An example of this is the debut of the Seagull Model by BYD Automotive, a luxurious EV priced at around $9,700. If we’re not careful, models like this could overshadow American cars across international streets.
The narrative from Republicans is that California’s regulations are detrimental to U.S. auto companies. However, this approach is likely to hurt workers and impact the quality of the air we breathe. History shows that there are more effective ways to combine clean air, job growth, and sustained innovation.
