Overview

• The U.S. Senate voted 51-44 to repeal California's federal waiver allowing stricter vehicle emissions standards, including a 2035 EV sales mandate.
• Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced California will file a lawsuit, arguing the repeal violates decades of precedent and federal rulings.
• Senate Republicans used the Congressional Review Act and a filibuster exception to bypass procedural norms and pass the resolution with a simple majority.
• The Biden administration had approved California's waiver in December 2024, a month before President Trump returned to office.
• California has joined an 11-state coalition to defend clean car standards and uphold state authority under the Clean Air Act.