Senate approaches moment of truth on California waivers

By Timothy Cama | 05/19/2025 06:35 AM EDT

Senate Majority Leader John Thune may decide this week whether to defy the parliamentarian.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) speaks with reporters.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has refrained from saying whether he wants to defy the parliamentarian to kill California car emissions rules. Francis Chung/POLITICO

The Senate may vote this week on legislation to undo California’s electric vehicle mandate, as time runs out on its window to do so without further hurdles.

Most Senate Republicans are eager to quash the blue-state’s pro-EV policies, but doing so would defy the chamber’s rules referee and Congress’ watchdog.

The House already passed three Congressional Review Act resolutions to undo Biden administration EPA waivers for three vehicle pollution rules.

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They include a 2035 EV mandate for all new car sales, new greenhouse gas emissions limits for trucks and restrictions on emissions of other pollutants for all vehicles.

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