House lawmakers voted Thursday to reverse the Environmental Protection Agency’s former President Joe Biden-era decision to grant California the power to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
In a 246-164 vote, with 35 Democrats joining all Republicans, representatives overturned the Golden State’s plan to transition away from gas-powered cars by 2035 and boost zero-emission vehicles. The EPA approved the plan in December 2024 through a waiver under the Clean Air Act.
Republicans argue that California’s rules limit consumer choice. They have also claimed that the state’s regulation sets a de facto national standard, as many states follow California’s emission rules. A dozen states have adopted the ban on gas-powered vehicles.
“Since arriving in Washington, I have fought to protect consumer freedom and allow American families to choose the vehicle that best fits their budget and needs,” said Rep. John Joyce (R-PA), who sponsored the resolution. “The introduction of this resolution to overturn California’s ban on gas-powered vehicles is long overdue.”
Joyce introduced the resolution through the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to bypass a filibuster and vote in a simple majority in both chambers to overturn rules. House Republicans on Wednesday also voted on two other CRA measures that would overturn California regulations on emissions.
In recent months, Republicans have used the CRA to try overturning federal energy regulations that do not align with the Trump administration’s agenda.
Republicans’ move to use the CRA to overturn a waiver could spark legal challenges. Last month, the Government Accountability Office ruled that the waivers under the Clean Air Act cannot be repealed through the CRA.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOTE TO SLASH CALIFORNIA VEHICLE EMISSION STANDARDS
California Air Resources Board members said in a statement Wednesday, following the other two CRA votes to repeal the state’s emission rules, that the lawmakers are violating the CRA itself as recognized by the GAO.
“The vote does not change CARB’s authority,” the CARB statement reads. “CARB will continue its mission to protect the public health of Californians impacted by harmful air pollution.”
