House Republicans recently attempted to challenge California’s clean vehicles program by using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) in an effort to repeal the state’s Clean Air Act waivers. These waivers allow California to set its own standards for vehicle emissions to combat air pollution.
Governor Gavin Newsom responded to this action by stating, “Trump Republicans are hellbent on making California smoggy again. Clean air didn’t used to be political.” Newsom highlighted that the authority to clean California’s air has been long-standing, citing former presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon as key figures in establishing these environmental protections. He also accused the Republican Party of being influenced by “big polluters” and criticized the tactic as “lawless,” aligning with the Senate Parliamentarian who ruled that the CRA does not apply to these waivers.
The attempt to use the CRA opposes findings by both the non-partisan Government Accountability Office and the Senate Parliamentarian and contradicts decades of precedent where such waivers have not been subject to the CRA.
California has historically been a leader in climate action, demonstrated by the state’s significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and its advancements in clean energy. Waivers from the Clean Air Act, granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have enabled California to implement more stringent air quality standards. Since the act’s adoption in 1970, over 100 waivers have been approved for the state’s clean air initiatives.
Recent progress under Governor Newsom’s administration includes a substantial increase in battery storage capacity and a marked reduction in emissions, despite California’s economic growth. However, California’s unique geography presents ongoing challenges, with several cities experiencing high levels of air pollution.
In response to this legislative challenge, Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of zero-emission vehicles as a crucial element in achieving cleaner air and improving public health in the state.
