A group of 35 House Democrats crossed party lines in a significant move against environmental regulations championed by former President Joe Biden's administration.
According to Fox News, the House of Representatives passed a Republican resolution with a 246-164 vote on Thursday morning, aimed at repealing an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waiver that would allow California to ban gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
The bipartisan opposition included two California Representatives, Lou Correa and George Whitesides, who voted against their own state's clean energy initiative. Other Democratic representatives joining the opposition came from various states, including Mississippi, New York, Florida, Michigan, and Indiana.
House Republican leaders celebrated the resolution's passage as a victory for consumer choice. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise expressed strong opposition to the California measure, emphasizing the importance of letting Americans choose their preferred vehicles.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer criticized the expansion of California's environmental policies to other states. He praised the House Republicans for their efforts to protect consumer freedom in the automotive market.
The resolution's passage represents a direct challenge to California Governor Gavin Newsom's ambitious climate agenda. The state's plan to phase out new gas-powered vehicle sales has faced significant opposition from both automotive industry representatives and political leaders.
The EPA waiver, granted during Biden's final weeks in office in December 2024, became a focal point of political debate. Representative John Joyce, serving as vice chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, spearheaded the opposition through a resolution of disapproval.
The Biden administration initially argued that the waiver represented an order rather than a regulatory rule, attempting to shield it from congressional review. However, the Trump administration requested Congress to review the waiver in February 2025.
The Government Accountability Office's March determination that the waiver falls outside the Congressional Review Act's scope has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing political battle.
The significant Democratic support for the Republican-led initiative suggests growing concerns about aggressive environmental regulations. The move highlights the delicate balance between environmental protection and economic considerations.
Major automakers had previously raised concerns about the feasibility of California's ambitious timeline for transitioning to all-electric vehicle sales. These industry perspectives have influenced the political discourse surrounding the state's environmental initiatives.
State officials defending the plan have consistently emphasized its role in addressing climate change. However, the bipartisan opposition indicates broader reservations about the pace and scope of the proposed transitions.
The House vote marks a crucial moment in California's efforts to lead national environmental policy. The state's aggressive climate goals have encountered resistance from both political parties and industry stakeholders. The resolution's passage with significant Democratic support challenges California's traditional role as an environmental policy pioneer. The involvement of California Representatives in opposing the measure particularly underscores the complex political dynamics at play.
