A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Republican Pennsylvania Rep. John Joyce takes aim at California's authority to set nationwide electric vehicle standards.
According to The Daily Caller, the House voted 246-164 to overturn a Biden administration rule that allows California to effectively implement a national electric vehicle mandate through its "Advanced Clean Cars II" regulation.
The legislation targets California's plan, approved by the Environmental Protection Agency in December 2024, which would prohibit the sale of new gas-powered vehicles in California and 11 other states by 2035. The move represents a significant challenge to President Biden's environmental agenda and California Governor Gavin Newsom's ambitious climate initiatives.
Several states have aligned with California's stringent auto emissions standards, including Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia. This coalition's unified approach to vehicle emissions has drawn criticism from automotive industry groups and Republican lawmakers.
The Congressional Review Act enables Congress to bypass traditional filibuster rules and overturn federal regulations with a simple majority vote in both chambers. This legislative tool has become instrumental in the current effort to dismantle California's EV mandate.
Industry leaders have vocally supported the House vote, viewing it as a victory for consumer choice and market-driven solutions.
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers President Chet Thompson and American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Sommers issued a joint statement celebrating the vote:
Today's vote was a huge win for U.S. consumers. We are one step closer to restoring consumers' ability to choose the cars that best meet their needs. California's unlawful ban should never have been authorized, and Governor Newsom should never have been allowed to seize this much control over the American vehicle market.
Rep. John Joyce, who introduced the legislation, emphasized the importance of protecting consumer freedom and preventing overreach in environmental regulations.
The resolution now moves to the Senate, where its passage could significantly impact the future of electric vehicle adoption in the United States.
Without Senate intervention, the EPA would need to undergo an extensive rulemaking process to reverse the waiver, potentially leaving California's zero-emission standards in place for years.
Industry representatives have urged swift Senate action, noting broad public opposition to gas car bans and state-specific vehicle regulations. The resolution's outcome could determine the pace and scope of the nation's transition to electric vehicles.
The House vote marks a crucial development in the ongoing debate over federal environmental regulations and state authority in setting vehicle emissions standards. With 35 House Democrats joining Republicans, the bipartisan opposition to California's EV mandate demonstrates growing concern over the pace and implementation of clean vehicle initiatives.
The resolution now awaits Senate consideration, where its passage would fulfill President Trump's promise to end EV mandates nationwide. The outcome will significantly influence America's automotive future and the balance between environmental goals and consumer choice in the transportation sector.
