One State’s Rules, Everyone’s Problem
California wants to decide what cars Americans drive. Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta are suing to protect the state’s clean vehicle mandates after the U.S. Senate voted to stop them. Using the Congressional Review Act, Republican senators targeted rules that would ban gasoline car sales by 2035 and force zero-emission trucks. This clash isn’t just about policy. It’s about whether one state can control the nation’s roads.
Since the 1970 Clean Air Act, California has had unique authority to set tougher emissions standards. Newsom claims this power saves lives by fighting smog. But the Senate’s vote reflects a growing frustration. California’s rules don’t just affect its residents; they reshape the entire U.S. auto market, raising prices and threatening livelihoods. Why should 39 million people dictate terms for 330 million?
Newsom calls the Senate’s action unlawful, citing the Senate parliamentarian and Government Accountability Office, which say Clean Air Act waivers aren’t subject to the Congressional Review Act. That argument misses the point. Congress has the authority to rein in a state that’s imposing its vision nationwide. The Senate isn’t breaking rules; it’s defending fairness.
Paying the Price for California’s Vision
California’s push to electrify vehicles carries a steep cost. By demanding automakers abandon gasoline cars, the state is inflating vehicle prices. Senate Republicans, including John Thune and Rick Scott, argue that these mandates could fracture the U.S. auto market. Manufacturers must either meet California’s demands or lose access to a massive market. Either choice hurts consumers.
The economic toll is mounting. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 fueled $14 billion in clean tech investments by early 2025, but policy shifts also led to $6.9 billion in canceled projects. Forcing a rapid shift to electric vehicles threatens plants that build conventional cars, endangering thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, China, which controls 70% of global electric vehicle production, benefits as U.S. automakers struggle. Does California’s plan strengthen America or hand Beijing an edge?
The state’s leaders ignore these risks, focusing instead on their climate goals. But their rules don’t just reshape California’s roads; they force every American to pay more for vehicles. Congress acted to protect workers and drivers, and that fight must continue.
Public Health Doesn’t Justify the Cost
Newsom and Bonta insist their mandates are vital for public health, pointing to California’s smog-choked cities and high asthma rates. They cite studies, like one from Harvard, showing cleaner vehicles saved thousands of lives between 2008 and 2017. Yet vehicle emissions have already dropped dramatically. Since 1970, federal standards have slashed key pollutants by 98%. The air is cleaner, and national rules are effective.
The claim that blocking California’s waivers will cost $45 billion in health care expenses lacks solid evidence. Federal emissions standards already safeguard public health without forcing drivers into expensive electric vehicles. Why burden Americans with higher car prices for negligible gains? The Senate’s vote prioritizes practical solutions over California’s lofty ideals.
A State Overstepping Its Bounds
Senators like Sheldon Whitehouse and Alex Padilla defend California, arguing its authority is rooted in law and supported by 17 states that adopted its rules. They say the Clean Air Act allows California to innovate. But this isn’t innovation; it’s control. California’s standards effectively set national policy, sidestepping Congress and federal agencies.
The Congressional Review Act, enacted in 1996, empowers Congress to block agency actions that overstep their bounds. It’s been used to overturn 20 rules, including 16 under President Trump’s first term. The Senate’s decision to target California’s waivers is a proper use of that authority. Newsom’s lawsuit may stall progress, but it can’t erase the reality: one state shouldn’t hold the nation’s auto industry hostage.
Restoring America’s Control
The Senate’s vote sends a clear message: Americans deserve affordable cars and a say in their future. California’s mandates threaten an industry that sustains millions of jobs and countless communities. Congress must uphold its authority to protect national markets from state overreach.
This battle transcends California. It’s about ensuring no single state can impose its agenda on everyone else. The Senate took a stand for unity and fairness, and the courts should affirm that decision. If California wants to pursue its climate vision, it can do so without forcing the nation to follow.
The road ahead should prioritize affordability, jobs, and American innovation. Congress has the power to keep that vision alive. The Senate’s action is a crucial step. Now, it’s time to drive it home.