Senate Parliamentarian Blocks GOP Efforts to Overturn California EV Mandate

The Senate parliamentarian ruled that Congress cannot use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn California's ambitious ban on new gasoline-powered cars by 2035, a decision seen as a setback for Republicans targeting Biden-era climate policies. This ruling confirms that California's federal waiver, allowing it to set stricter vehicle emissions standards under the Clean Air Act, is not subject to CRA procedures. Despite this ruling, Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, expressed intentions to continue pursuing options to repeal the mandate and argue for consumer choice in vehicle sales. California's initiative is viewed as a crucial step in combating climate change and has significant implications for the auto industry nationwide. Democratic senators have hailed the ruling as a victory for public health and environmental policy, emphasizing California's right to enforce stricter standards. The path forward for Republicans may involve more traditional administrative routes, which could be lengthy and complex.