In a significant defeat for liberal California policies, the U.S. Senate has voted to block the Golden State’s rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035.
See the tweet below!
This decision stands as a triumph for conservatives who resist government overreach and mandate-driven transitions against the backbone of America’s economic identity—fossil fuels.
The measure is now on its way to President Donald Trump’s desk, where it’s expected to receive his signature.
The Senate’s decision to block California’s ambitious ban is hailed by conservatives who argue that Californians—and by extension, the rest of America—shouldn’t be forced to transition to costly electric vehicles under a government directive.
The debate underscores an ideological clash where Republicans argue the phaseout of gas-powered cars pressures an already strained energy grid, increases economic burdens, and questions California’s leadership in dictating national car standards.
This ruling resonates beyond California, a state responsible for about 11% of the U.S. car market.
California’s policies heavily influence national purchasing trends, putting even more states and industries into the crosshairs.
Senate Democrats, on the other hand, argue that this move is another example of Republicans being influenced by the oil and gas industry, denying states like California the right to set their own standards to address vehicle emissions.
“The waivers in question allow California to implement a stringent electric vehicle mandate, which – given California’s size and the fact that a number of other states have signed on to California’s mandate – would end up not just affecting the state of California, but the whole country,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), cited by PBS.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and state regulators, standing defiant, plan to legally challenge the Senate’s resolution, arguing federal overreach strips states of their lawful ability to govern their own environmental measures.
Gov. Newsom described this pushback not as a reduction in pollution but as an attack on clean energy initiatives.
“This is not about electric vehicles. This is about polluters being able to pollute more,” he stated.
Despite the Biden administration previously approving California’s waiver to enforce these ambitious standards, Republicans have now set a newly established precedent in the Senate—state EPA waivers can be rejected with a simple majority vote.
Democrats fear this is yet another erosion of the Senate filibuster, further deepening partisan divides.
Supporting the conservative stance, Sen. Elissa Slotkin was the only Democrat to cross party lines.
She stood in favor of the block, pointing to the significant economic value of the auto industry to her home state of Michigan.
Meanwhile, the executive director of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation notes the impracticality of fulfilling such rapid EV sales mandates.
The Senate’s maneuver exemplifies a decisive stand for American autonomy against overregulation, affirming the value of traditional energy sources and consumer choice against what many see as unattainable liberal environmental goals.
This story continues to unfold as California and its allies battle on in courts and public opinion arenas.
California was planning to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. 11 other states planned to follow suit. The Senate just blocked that in a move Newsom is already whining is “illegal.”
Big win for auto, gas, and freedom. pic.twitter.com/5ta4epUaSc
— Natalie Jean Beisner (@NJBeisner) May 22, 2025
