In a significant political and environmental development, the U.S. Senate has passed a resolution aimed at blocking California’s authority to enforce strict vehicle-emission rules, including its landmark plan to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, according to the Maryland Daily Record.
The move, spearheaded by Senate Republicans, is part of a broader legislative campaign to challenge state-level climate policies that have long influenced national standards, Yale University said.
Background: California’s Special Authority
Since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, California has held a unique waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), allowing it to set its own vehicle emissions standards that are more stringent than federal rules, CBS News said.
This exemption was initially granted due to the state’s severe smog issues, particularly in urban centers like Los Angeles.
Over the decades, more than a dozen other states have adopted California’s standards, effectively making the state a national leader in vehicle emissions regulation, KSBW said.
The policies have played a major role in pushing the automotive industry toward cleaner technologies, including electric and hybrid vehicles, according to the California Air Resources Board.
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The 2035 Gas Car Ban
In 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an ambitious goal: to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and light trucks by 2035.
This regulation, finalized in 2022 by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), mandates that 100% of new passenger vehicles sold in the state must be zero-emission.
Supporters argue the rule is essential for meeting climate goals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving air quality. Critics, however, claim it imposes unrealistic costs and strains the electrical grid.
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What the Senate Just Did
On May 22, 2025, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution to repeal the EPA’s restoration of California’s waiver—an unprecedented move that seeks to strip the state of its ability to independently regulate vehicle emissions, CBS News said.
The resolution was passed under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn federal agency actions with a simple majority vote, Congress.gov said.
This comes after the House of Representatives passed similar resolutions earlier in the month. The legislation is expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump, marking a dramatic reversal from the Biden administration’s environmental policies, which had reinstated the waiver after it was revoked during Trump’s previous term, according to Brookings.com.
The Senate vote is part of a package of three resolutions targeting California’s emissions authority. If signed into law, the action would effectively prohibit the state from enforcing its 2035 ban and other emissions rules that go beyond federal standards.
What’s at Stake
If the repeal is finalized, it could have wide-ranging consequences for the future of U.S. vehicle regulation. California’s rules have not only driven technological innovation in the auto industry but have also allowed states to serve as laboratories for environmental policy, Congress.gov said.
Losing the EPA waiver would stall or halt a growing coalition of states, currently over a dozen, that follow California’s lead. It could slow the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and weaken America’s ability to meet climate commitments made under international agreements, according to Car and Driver.
Legal and Institutional Implications
The Senate’s move also represents a shift in how Congress interacts with regulatory authority. Traditionally, the EPA’s waiver decisions have been treated as technical, science-based assessments, not subject to routine political reversal, CBS News said.
By using the Congressional Review Act to target state-level waivers, lawmakers may be setting a precedent for further interference in agency decisions and state powers. Legal experts warn this could prompt court challenges, particularly around states’ rights and administrative procedure, according to Congress.gov.
Looking Ahead
The future of California’s emissions rules now rests in the hands of the White House. If President Trump signs the resolution, it could roll back more than 50 years of environmental precedent.
However, legal challenges are likely, and the issue may ultimately be decided in the courts.For now, California’s ability to lead on vehicle emissions—and influence the nation’s climate trajectory—hangs in the balance.
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