Republicans hoping to stop California’s strict vehicle emissions rules ran into another problem Friday, when the Senate’s referee ruled they can’t use a quick legislative tool.
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough determined that three Clean Air Act waivers the Biden EPA gave California are not rules and cannot be undone through the Congressional Review Act vote, Democrats said.
The conclusion aligns with what Democratic lawmakers; environmental groups; and Congress’ own watchdog, the Government Accountability Office, have said.
But Senate Republicans suggested they may not follow the parliamentarian’s decision. “I will continue to address all options available to strike down these rules and eliminate the consequential impact they would make across our country,” said Environment and Public Works Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).
