• The Senate voted to revoke California's rules banning new gas-powered cars by 2035.
• This decision allows for the rollback of stricter vehicle emission standards in California.
• Republicans invoke the Congressional Review Act, despite a ruling stating it does not apply.
• California is expected to respond with legal action against the federal government.
• This move could impact automotive regulations in about a dozen other states aligned with California's standards.

The U.S. Senate has voted to revoke California's ambitious vehicle emission standards, including a landmark policy aimed at banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. This vote marks a significant setback for California, which has long sought to set more stringent environmental regulations than federal mandates, and comes after a contentious series of procedural votes that established a new precedent for congressional action on state waivers. Lawmakers argue the move is necessary to support consumers and manufacturers, while critics contend it undermines public health and environmental protections, according to CBS News and India Times.

This legislative action effectively repeals a waiver granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Biden, which had allowed California to adopt rules requiring up to 80% electric vehicles by 2035. The decision not only affects California but is likely to influence similar regulations in several states that have followed California's standards, representing a significant portion of the U.S. auto market, as reported by Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

Republicans have justified their actions by invoking the Congressional Review Act, arguing that California's regulations are excessively burdensome on consumers and not feasible for the auto industry. However, both the Government Accountability Office and the Senate parliamentarian had indicated that these waivers were not subject to congressional review, raising questions about the legality of the Senate's actions. This is viewed by critics, including Senate Democrats, as a troubling precedent that could invite future partisan disputes over executive regulations, according to Channel News Asia and SFGate.

In response, California officials, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, have signaled an intent to challenge this decision legally, stating it infringes upon the state's rights to set its own environmental policies. Bonta labeled the action as “federal government overreach” and emphasized the potential health impacts of rolling back emission standards. Environmental advocates also condemned the Senate's decision, arguing it contradicts decades of progress in reducing air pollution and protecting public health, as cited by BBC and Los Angeles Times.