House lawmakers voted on Thursday to reverse Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant California the power to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
In a 246-164 vote, House lawmakers overturned California’s plan to transition away from gas-powered cars by 2035 and boost zero-emission vehicles. The EPA approved the plan in December through a waiver under the Clean Air Act.
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Republicans argue that California’s rules limit consumer choice. Republicans 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 CRAs that would overturn California regulations on emissions.
In recent months, Republicans have used the CRA in attempts to overturn federal energy regulations that do not align with the Trump administration’s agenda.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOTE TO SLASH CALIFORNIA VEHICLE EMISSION STANDARDS
The Republicans’ move to use the CRA to overturn a waiver could spark legal challenges. Last month, the Government Accountability Office said the waivers under the Clean Air Act cannot be repealed through the CRA.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) 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. CARB will continue its mission to protect the public health of Californians impacted by harmful air pollution,” CARB said in a statement.