Napa, CA – In a decisive move that could reshape the future of U.S. climate policy and state regulatory powers, Congress has voted to block California’s ambitious plan to ban the sale of new petrol-only vehicles by 2035.
The Senate passed the measure in a 51-44 vote, following approval in the House of Representatives. The legislation nullifies a key waiver granted to California by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which had allowed the state to enforce stricter emissions standards than those mandated federally. The waiver has been central to California’s efforts to combat air pollution and lead the nation in climate action.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill into law, marking another rollback of environmental regulations under his administration and reigniting a long-simmering legal conflict between federal and state governments. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has vowed to sue, calling the federal intervention “illogical” and “politically motivated.”
“This federal government overreach is illogical, politically motivated and it comes at the expense of Californians’ lives and livelihoods,” Bonta said in a statement. “We will fight this in court.”
The decision is seen as a major win for Republicans, fossil fuel interests, and legacy automakers, who have expressed concerns over California’s mandate. Under the now-blocked rule, electric vehicles (EVs) would have needed to comprise 35% of new car sales in the state by 2026—a benchmark critics deemed unrealistic.
Automakers also pushed back on the associated credit scheme, which required manufacturers to buy emissions credits—often from electric car leader Tesla—if they couldn’t meet sales targets. Industry representatives argued that such requirements would drain resources needed for their own EV development.
“The concerns were about the mandate – not the technology,” said John Bozzella, president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry lobby group.
Environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers decried the move as a step backward in the fight against climate change. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) said blocking the rule “made no sense,” noting it would slow progress on reducing emissions and improving public health.
“They reduce costs for drivers, boost domestic manufacturing, improve air quality, and help address the climate crisis,” said NRDC President Manish Bapna. “If other states don’t like California’s approach, they don’t need to follow it—but federal lawmakers shouldn’t be intervening to block states from providing cleaner air and a healthier environment.”
California, where EVs already represent about 25% of new car sales, has long relied on EPA waivers to implement tougher emissions rules, citing its severe air quality challenges. The state’s leadership has historically shaped national vehicle standards, with more than a dozen states—including New York, Massachusetts, and Colorado—committing to follow California’s roadmap. Combined, these states account for over a third of the U.S. auto market.
The vote represents a rare instance of congressional interference in what has typically been an administrative and legal matter. Both the Government Accountability Office and the Senate parliamentarian raised concerns over the procedural validity of the repeal, adding another layer of complexity to the brewing legal fight.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans for using what he called a “nuclear option” to block environmental protections and warned it could set a dangerous precedent for dismantling other agency rules.
The outcome of this legislative clash may ultimately be decided in the courts. For now, California’s zero-emissions goals—and the wider national trajectory toward electric vehicles—hang in the balance.