US Senators Block California’s Electric Vehicle Mandate
In a significant rebuke to Democratic climate change policies, US senators on Thursday blocked California’s landmark mandate to phase out gas-powered cars, dealing a substantial blow to the state’s efforts to transition towards electric vehicles. The Republican-led Senate revoked a waiver that had been instituted under then-President Joe Biden, allowing California to set aside national pollution standards for cars and establish its own more stringent regulations.
The Senate’s decision to overturn the waiver was immediate and contentious. California’s liberal government announced plans to sue President Joe Biden’s administration over the move, despite the fact that the bill was passed under President Donald Trump’s administration. California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized the Senate’s decision, stating, “Terrible day for your kids, terrible day for air quality, terrible day for innovation and entrepreneurship.”
California has historically struggled with severe smog, particularly in Los Angeles. To address this issue, the state had implemented a mandate requiring that a third of new 2026 model cars sold in California be zero-emission, rising to two-thirds in 2030 and 100 percent in 2035. Republicans in Washington argued that this mandate was costly, unworkable, and infringed upon consumer choice.
“California got special permission from the Biden administration to ban gas-powered cars. Because of their market share, this would impact the entire nation,” said Utah Senator Mike Lee. “But Gavin Newsom doesn’t get to ruin 49 other states.”
The controversy surrounding the Senate’s decision centers on the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which Republicans argue grants them the right to overturn California’s waiver with a simple majority vote. However, Democrats contend that this move was illegal, as nonpartisan watchdogs, including the Government Accountability Office and the Senate Parliamentarian, have stated that the CRA cannot be applied to waivers.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced plans to sue over the Senate’s action, stating, “The president and his administration are attempting to trample on our authority to maintain long-standing clean vehicle standards and keep our air breathable. We’re not going to let that happen… Our lawsuit will be about ensuring California can enforce its state laws.”
The Senate has only overridden its parliamentarian a handful of times since the role was established in the 1930s. The decision comes amid a broader debate about electric vehicles (EVs), with former President Donald Trump having previously criticized EVs despite federal funding being allocated to EV-related projects in Republican districts, which are expected to create thousands of jobs.
According to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book, US EV sales reached 1.3 million units last year, representing a 7.3 percent increase from 2023. However, automakers have recently scaled back investments, citing slowing demand growth.
