In a major rebuke of California’s aggressive push toward electric vehicles, the U.S. Senate has voted 51–44 to revoke a Biden-era waiver that allowed the state to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. The measure, passed under the Congressional Review Act, would also block California from imposing its own stricter emissions rules on heavy-duty trucks and nitrogen oxide standards.
The vote marks a significant shift in federal environmental policy, effectively reasserting national authority over vehicle regulations and preventing one state from dictating standards for the rest of the country. The resolution already cleared the House and now awaits President Trump’s signature, which is widely expected.
Supporters of the measure, led by Republicans and joined by Democrat Sen. Elissa Slotkin, argued that California’s mandates are unrealistic, economically harmful, and bad for consumers. They emphasized that the waiver allowed a single state to wield disproportionate influence over the U.S. auto industry and national energy policy.
“This is about restoring common sense,” said one GOP senator. “California doesn’t get to tell the rest of America what cars we can drive.”
Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, denounced the vote as a politically motivated attack on environmental protections. They argued that the action violates states’ rights and have vowed to challenge the repeal in court. “We’re not backing down,” Newsom said in a statement. “This is a reckless rollback that will hurt public health and the environment.”
Democrats warned that undoing the waiver could undermine years of progress in reducing emissions and improving air quality, particularly in densely populated states struggling with smog and pollution. Environmental groups have also pledged legal action.
If signed into law, the resolution would not only nullify California’s gas car ban but also disrupt similar policies in more than a dozen states that follow California’s emissions standards. The legal showdown ahead may center on whether Congress has the authority to revoke waivers previously granted under the Clean Air Act—an issue that could ultimately land before the Supreme Court.
The move is a major win for opponents of forced electrification, auto manufacturers concerned about supply chain feasibility, and consumers wary of rising vehicle costs. For the Biden-era environmental agenda, however, it’s a major setback that could ripple across state and federal climate policies.
The post Republicans Set To Block California’s ‘Radical’ Gas Car Ban appeared first on Real News Now.
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