California’s ambitious plan to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 has hit a significant roadblock in Congress. On May 1, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 246-164 to block the state’s groundbreaking initiative, challenging a federal waiver that allows California to enforce stricter vehicle emissions standards than those set by the federal government.
This waiver, granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has been pivotal in California’s efforts to address climate change and reduce air pollution. However, the House vote reflects a broader political battle over the balance of state versus federal authority in environmental policy.
While California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have vowed to fight the decision through legal means, the future of the ban will ultimately depend on how the Senate responds. Legal experts have raised questions about whether Congress can use the Congressional Review Act to overturn state-specific environmental waivers, making the next steps uncertain.
If successful, the legislative challenge could have far-reaching consequences for both environmental policy and the automotive industry, especially in states that have adopted California’s emissions standards. The outcome of this ongoing battle will likely shape the nation’s approach to clean energy and vehicle emissions for years to come.
