In a decisive move that stands for freedom and against overreach, the Senate has blocked California’s attempt to phase out new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
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This regulatory interference has Californians bracing for a legal storm.
The Senate voted to block a California regulation aimed at ending the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
This vote was not just a statement of opposition but a signal of Republican determination to halt what they perceive as an overreaching attempt by a single state to influence national trends.
California accounts for about 11% of the U.S. car market, so this ruling sends ripples far beyond its borders.
The measure is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump. Previously, the Biden administration had given California the waiver to implement such stringent standards.
The reversal illustrates a stark contrast in policy direction and priorities between the current administration and its predecessor.
Critics, notably Senate Democrats, argue Republicans have yielded to oil and gas interests.
The Senate Democrats expressed concern that California should have the autonomy to set its own environmental standards.
Meanwhile, Republicans argue the proposed phaseout is economically and infrastructurally burdensome, especially for the national energy grid.
“The waivers in question allow California to implement a stringent electric vehicle mandate, which – given California’s size and the fact that a number of other states have signed on to California’s mandate – would end up not just affecting the state of California, but the whole country,” stated Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), as cited by PBS.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to fight back.
Newsom and state regulators claim that the congressional action is illegal and plan to take their case to court, asserting that this is about their right to protect environmental laws and public health.
In this battle, Gov. Newsom declared, “This is not about electric vehicles. This is about polluters being able to pollute more.”
Senate votes to kill California's zero-emission mandate for cars https://t.co/NCyPC82C5r
— Agri-Pulse Communications (@agripulse) May 22, 2025
The tension between federal and state regulations is palpable, with California Attorney General Rob Bonta also promising to sue over the procedural handling of the measures, arguing it sidesteps democratic processes.
Moving forward, this decision could set a precedent where federal oversight prevents states from passing ambitious but controversial environmental policies.
With the power to block California’s standards, Republicans have established a Senate rule allowing such decisions to be made by a simple majority vote rather than the traditional supermajority required to overcome filibusters.
