President Donald Trump signed a law on Thursday that prevents states like Washington from following California’s lead in phasing out gas-powered vehicles. The legislation revokes waivers granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under a previous administration, which allowed California to set stricter vehicle emissions standards than the federal government. Rep. Michael Baumgartner of Spokane was among the Republican lawmakers who attended the bill-signing ceremony at the White House.
The new law affects 17 states that had adopted similar rules to California’s, including Washington, which had planned to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. Baumgartner praised the move, stating that the California regulation would have been “devastating” to the U.S. economy, particularly affecting the trucking industry. “You can’t run semitrucks across America on unicorn laughter and aspirational dreams of environmental extremists,” he said in an interview before the ceremony.
Trump used the occasion to criticize Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, calling him “a numbskull,” and boasted about his popularity on TikTok. He also railed against Democrats’ efforts to phase out gas-powered vehicles and promote low-carbon energy sources. “They’re making you buy stuff that doesn’t work,” Trump said. “You should be given the option to buy an electric car, a gasoline-powered car, or a hybrid.”
The bill was passed using the Congressional Review Act, which allowed lawmakers to bypass the usual 60-vote supermajority required in the Senate. Despite opposition from Democratic senators, the bill received bipartisan support in the House and was backed by one Democratic senator, Michigan’s Elissa Slotkin. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of southwest Washington was among the 35 House Democrats who voted in favor of the bill.
The law is already facing legal challenges. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a joint lawsuit with nine other states, arguing that the resolution violates the separation of powers and multiple federal statutes. “Transportation is the single greatest contributor to greenhouse gas pollution in Washington, and our residents understand the transition to zero-emission vehicles is critical in the fight against climate change,” Brown said in a statement.
Washington state officials are preparing for the impact of the new law. The Washington Department of Ecology has notified vehicle manufacturers that it will temporarily pause compliance requirements for some vehicle categories. Director Casey Sixkiller stated that the department will work with legislators, industry partners, and other states to continue progress toward climate and public health goals. Gov. Bob Ferguson expressed his commitment to ensuring Washington moves forward with building a cleaner future despite the federal government’s actions.
The Washington Trucking Association welcomed the bill signing, saying that California’s EV trucking mandates had caused harm to the industry. The Washington State Auto Dealers Association also responded, stating that they will work with state policymakers to find solutions that incentivize the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles while supporting the needs of dealers and customers.
