Today, Congressional Western Caucus Members celebrated passage of three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to overturn California’s de facto electric vehicle (EV) mandates. Specifically, the resolutions overturn the Biden administration’s approval of California’s vehicle emissions mandates, including the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation, and the Omnibus Low-NOx Emissions rule.
“Today’s vote is a big win for drivers, businesses, and consumers across the country. California’s extreme emissions mandates would have made cars and trucks more expensive and less available for everyone, not just in our state but nationwide,” said Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa. “Consumers would see massive increases in costs if they chose a non-electric vehicle, and availability of some models has already been severely restricted in California. By passing these resolutions, the House made it clear that we won’t let one state’s radical agenda dictate what Americans can drive. People deserve the freedom to choose the vehicles that work best for them—not to be forced into unaffordable electric vehicles that may not work for them. I was pleased to see the House stand up for commonsense to protect hardworking families from even higher costs. By passing this Congressional Review Act, California will not be allowed to make this type of rule without a complete change in federal law.”
“I’m proud that the House passed my resolution to stop California’s unworkable engine emission standards from becoming national policy,” said Vice Chair Jay Obernolte (CA-23). “These regulations would raise costs for consumers, crush small businesses, and threaten critical supply chains across the country. It is Congress’ job to ensure that one state’s overreach doesn’t dictate how all Americans live, work, or drive.”
“The passage of these resolutions is a victory for Americans who will not be forced into purchasing costly EVs because of California’s unworkable mandates,” said House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie and House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment Chairman Morgan Griffith (VA-09). “If not repealed, the California waivers would lead to higher prices for both new and used vehicles, increase our reliance on China, and strain our electric grid. The passage of these three resolutions will help to protect Americans from some of the worst policies of the Biden-Harris Administration. Thank you to Vice Chairman Joyce, Congressman Obernolte, and Congressman James for your work to ensure that families and businesses can continue choosing the vehicles they need.”
“California’s push to ban gas-powered vehicles is outrageous and proves how little they understand the rest of America,” said Vice Chair Michelle Fischbach (MN-07). “A person cannot get across the wide rural areas of my district in western Minnesota in the winter in a fully electric vehicle, let alone a fully electric semi-truck. The mandate would also increase car prices nationwide and strain our electric grid. So, not only does this mandate dramatically limit consumer choice, but it is also dangerous. I am grateful to my colleagues for introducing legislation to repeal these ridiculous rules and am proud to vote for them.”
“As the EPA works to reverse the Biden Administration’s overregulation on vehicle emissions, Congress is targeting these impractical standards at the source,” said Vice Chair Dan Newhouse (WA-04). “California is the leader of forcing burdensome regulations on manufacturers that drive up vehicle costs, and I am proud to join my colleagues in helping to end these harmful policies and protect consumer choice.”
“I strongly supported passage of legislation to repeal the unworkable EV mandates the state of California and the Biden administration created,” said Vice Chair Adrian Smith (NE-03). “We should not be restricting options for Americans, particularly when the weather, driving distances, and existing infrastructure in regions like rural Nebraska are not conducive to EV use. We should be focused on empowering consumer choice, not mandates that stifle innovation.”
“Under the Biden Administration, California was on track to impose its radical EV mandate on the rest of America,” said Vice Chair Pete Stauber (MN-08). “This was a direct attack on our way of life in Northern Minnesota, where most people not only can’t afford an EV, but these vehicles are also not compatible with our harsh winters. And because of the previous Administration’s refusal to support domestic mining, this mandate would have increased our reliance on Communist China for the critical minerals necessary for these EVs. I am committed to correcting these harmful Biden-era policies that limit consumer choice and hurt the American people.”
“Over the past four years, the Biden administration’s EPA unleashed numerous burdensome rules that attacked consumer choice and harmed hardworking Americans,” said Vice Chair Tom Tiffany (WI-07). “Today, House Republicans passed resolutions to eliminate these radical regulations and keep California’s Green New Scam from becoming a national standard.”
“Americans across the country aren’t buying what is being sold – literally,” said Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “California's failed EV mandates have only proven to harm local dealerships and hardworking taxpayers. With the passage of today's CRAs, House Republicans are ensuring that American consumers – not Biden's EPA or future unelected bureaucrats – decide for themselves what vehicle works best for their families.”
“Under President Biden’s watch, the EPA pushed through regulations that limited consumer choice and raised costs for families,” said Representative Troy Balderson (OH-12). “Time and again, the last administration prioritized radical climate activism over Americans’ freedoms. I applaud my colleagues in the House for passing these resolutions and bringing us one step closer to eliminating these disastrous regulations.”
“EV mandates may sound green, but they're costing Americans big time: higher car prices, fewer jobs, and a grid that's not ready for all those electric vehicles,” said Representative Michael Baumgartner (WA-05). “I am pleased to see these resolutions to overturn these harmful waivers pass the House. It’s time to push the brakes on these California’s EV mandates that would take away your choice at the dealership. It’s time to put American drivers first.”
“The Biden EV mandates will not only limit consumer choice but will significantly raise the cost of cars for California families,” said Representative Ken Calvert (CA-41). “By reversing these disastrous policies, House Republicans are working to provide Americans with more choices and affordable options.”
“The Biden Administration and California abused the Clean Air Act to impose impossible regulations that go beyond their state’s borders,” said Representative Jeff Crank (CO-05). “American families and businesses need to be able to make the choice that best suits their need. We cannot continue to allow ridiculous mandates to drive costs up families and businesses. I support repealing these harmful waivers that block consumer choice and hurt businesses.”
"Progressive, authoritarian EV mandates are fundamentally un-American,” said Representative Troy Downing (MT-02). “I am proud to have voted for H.J. Res. 87, 88, and 89 to reverse these disastrous policies and bring autonomy back to the consumer."
“Although electric vehicles are more expensive and less reliable than gas-powered cars, the Biden administration barreled forward with its EV mandates on American families, farmers, and small businesses – enriching China, where EV components are largely sourced, at the expense of U.S. citizens and manufacturers. In one of the most egregious examples of federal overreach, the Biden EPA granted three waivers exclusively to California, allowing the state to move ahead with its plans to ban gas-powered vehicles and electrify trucks, tractors, and semis,” said Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04). “As a strong supporter of liquid fuels, I voted to overturn all three of these waivers, restoring consumer choice and promoting affordability over mandates. In conjunction with President Trump’s executive order repealing the Biden administration’s EV mandates, these resolutions will ensure that California’s ridiculous and misguided policies do not spread to Iowa or any other state.”
“Through the years, California has enacted their liberal agenda through extreme regulations, trying to influence the future of America,” said Representative Mike Flood (NE-01). “In the last four years the Biden administration nationalized California’s work. Thanks to my colleagues for stepping up to roll back these onerous regulations which threatened to make autos like trucks unaffordable for working families.”
“California’s out of touch energy mandates should not be imposed on the entire country when it’s contrary to common sense and what the public wanted. We should protect the right of consumers to choose the vehicle that works for their budget and lifestyle,” said Representative Vince Fong (CA-20). “As a co-sponsor to overturn these waivers, it is imperative we enact consistent federal rules to reduce confusion, lower costs, and ensure fairness. We should not model national energy policy after California – a state that is completely energy incompetent. It is critical we undo these mandates to ensure Californians, and all Americans, no longer have to bear the financial burden.”
“If California’s EV mandates were to have gone into effect, it would have led to higher prices for cars across the country, added burdensome standards, and created a tremendous strain on our electric grid,” said Representative Russell Fry (SC-07). “I’m proud of my House Republican colleagues for putting a stop to these misguided Biden-era measures.”
“Americans continue to overwhelmingly rely on traditional automobiles over electric vehicles,” said Representative Russ Fulcher (ID-01). “Despite this, under the Biden administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowed a series of stringent, environmentally charged regulations on vehicles that would effectively overhaul the marketplace and steer consumers toward purchasing EVs. I was proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislative package to repeal these overreaching federal mandates and preserve consumer freedom and choice in the automotive and heavy-duty truck markets.”
“Americans should be able to choose the car that best fits their needs,” said Representative Dusty Johnson (SD-AL). “The Biden Administration chose to rush these waivers through in its final days in power. These mandates from California make cars more expensive and fail to address the needs of many Americans. I’m glad Congress is taking action to cut burdensome red tape, support our manufacturers, and lower prices for consumers.”
“America needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy, not a one-size-fits-California mandate,” said Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01). “President Biden implemented eleventh-hour, Green New Deal rules that would devastate rural communities and drive up costs for American families. Kansas families, manufacturers, and energy producers need more freedom and fewer regulations. I was proud to support House Republicans’ CRAs that roll back these burdensome regulations and ensure far-left state governments don’t dictate energy policies for places like the Big First and the entire country.”
“Hoosiers rely on affordable and quality-made vehicles. Forcing Americans to adopt a Green New Deal, electric-car-driven agenda is impractical and unfair to consumers,”
said Representative Mark Messmer (IN-08). “Indiana is a powerhouse in automotive manufacturing, and we refuse to let California-based regulations drive up prices for the rest of the country.”
“California’s radical energy mandates were never just a California problem — they were a threat to every American family and business,”
said Representative Ralph Norman (SC-05). “These mandates drive up prices nationwide, cripple our energy supply, and crush American competitiveness on the world stage. I was proud to vote with my House GOP colleagues to repeal this madness and stand up for affordable, reliable energy. It’s time we put working Americans first, not Green New Deal fantasies.”
“California and the Biden-Harris administration imposed disastrous electric vehicle mandates that undermined the freedom of consumer choice in America, created unnecessary burdens on manufacturers, and drove up the costs for hardworking families,”
said Representative August Pfluger (TX-11). “Today, House Republicans voted to put an end to this radical climate nonsense.”
"The Biden administration's rush to mandate electric vehicles eliminated consumer choice and drove up costs. Idahoans—and Americans nationwide—don't want the federal government telling them what cars to buy, and the Biden administration piled unnecessary and burdensome costs on American businesses and families,”
said Representative Mike Simpson (ID-02). “Reversing these Biden-era rules is necessary to protect consumer choice and relieve unnecessary burdens on the American people. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I remain committed to working with EPA Administrator Zeldin to slash burdensome regulations.”
“As a Michigander, I understand the future of the automotive industry should not be dictated by excessive regulations by California bureaucrats but rather shaped by consumer preferences and innovation,”
said Representative Tim Walberg (MI-05). “California’s waiver constitutes a de facto national internal combustion vehicle ban as automakers will be forced to conform their entire vehicle fleets to meet these extreme regulations. House Republicans are taking action to reverse this misguided EV mandate and allow consumers to choose the vehicle best suited for their needs.”
Background
Under the Clean Air Act, states are generally prohibited from setting their own tailpipe emission standards for cars and trucks. However, California has a unique exemption under Section 209, allowing it to keep the emissions regulations that pre-dated the Clean Air Act, and update them as needed by submitting a waiver to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. Once granted, these California standards can also be adopted by other states under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act. Currently, about a dozen states follow California’s emissions policies, effectively turning the state’s regulations into a nationwide mandate.
The Biden administration approved several controversial waivers requested by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), allowing the state to impose extreme emissions rules that impact car and truck costs and availability across the country. These include:
- Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC2) – Approved in December 2024, this regulation mandates that 35% of new car sales be zero-emission by 2026, increasing to 100% by 2035. At least 12 states have already adopted ACC2. Failure to meet this goal means a maximum penalty of $25,000 per non-compliant vehicle sold to consumers. Text of the resolution can be found here.
- Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) – Approved in March 2023, this regulation forces truck manufacturers and retailers to meet strict zero-emission quotas by 2035, including 55% of Class 2B-3 truck sales, 75% of Class 4-8 straight truck sales, and 40% of truck tractor sales. At least 11 states have adopted ACT. Text of the resolution can be found here.
- Omnibus Low-NOx Emissions Rule – Approved in December 2024, this regulation imposes aggressive emissions reductions on medium- and heavy-duty truck and other engines, requiring NOx emissions to be cut by 75% below current standards for Model Year 2024-2026 compared to 2010 levels and particulate matter emissions to be cut by 50%. Text of the resolution can be found here.
