Republicans, 35 Democrats Move to Repeal California EV Mandate

A bipartisan coalition in Congress is moving to overturn Biden-era EPA waivers that allowed California to set aggressive electric vehicle (EV) mandates, effectively influencing national auto policy. Thirty-five House Democrats joined Republicans in passing a resolution to rescind the waivers, with even some California representatives opposing their own state's rules due to concerns about affordability and practicality for working-class constituents. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) is being used to nullify these regulations, as it allows Congress to overrule agency rules with a simple majority. Critics argue that California's mandates, enacted by the unelected Air Resources Board, threaten consumer choice by banning new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Supporters of the repeal, including Senate Republicans, see the waivers as an existential threat to states' rights and economic freedom, while opponents warn that overturning them undercuts efforts to combat climate change. The move highlights shifting political attitudes on EV mandates and growing skepticism about California's power to shape national policy.