Governor Gavin Newsome | Official website
Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a statement in response to plans by U.S. Senate Republicans to hold a vote aimed at dismantling significant parts of California's clean vehicles and trucks program. The Senate intends to use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to vote on three of the state's Clean Air Act waivers, a move Newsom describes as illegal.
"The United States Senate has a choice: cede American car-industry dominance to China and clog the lungs of our children, or follow decades of precedent and uphold the clean air policies that Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon fought so hard for. Will you side with China or America?" stated Governor Gavin Newsom.
The House, controlled by Republicans, had earlier attempted to repeal these waivers using the CRA, which historically has not been applied to such waivers according to both the non-partisan Government Accountability Office and the Senate Parliamentarian.
California's clean air efforts have historical roots dating back to former Governor Ronald Reagan, who established the California Air Resources Board. The state has been granted over 100 waivers since 1970 under the Clean Air Act, allowing it to set its own standards for vehicle emissions. These waivers are crucial for maintaining market certainty necessary for long-term environmental planning.
Despite improvements in air quality, California still faces challenges due to its geography, with five cities ranking among those with the worst air pollution nationwide. Efforts to reduce vehicle emissions remain essential as many Californians live under "severe nonattainment" conditions for ozone.
Republican attempts to roll back regulations could lead to an estimated $45 billion increase in health care costs for Californians due to worsening air quality. Moreover, these efforts threaten economic benefits tied to zero-emission vehicles, which are generally more affordable over time compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
Newsom also pointed out that while U.S.-based technologies have led advancements in clean cars, global trends show China's growing dominance in electric vehicle production. In early 2025, China accounted for over 70% of global EV manufacturing and was responsible for most of the rise in EV sales outside China last year.
California continues its climate leadership with notable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions alongside economic growth. Under Governor Newsom's administration, battery storage capacity has significantly increased as part of ongoing efforts toward sustainable energy solutions.
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