Senate Republicans set up the process late Wednesday night to overturn California’s electric vehicle mandate, using a novel procedural maneuver to overcome a negative ruling from the chamber’s rules referee.
Democrats — who have accused the majority of breaking the rules and threatening the filibuster — protested by moving repeatedly to recess or adjourn. Lawmakers spent hours voting late into the night.
Republicans want to take up House-passed Congressional Review Act resolutions to repeal Biden-era EPA waivers for new California vehicle pollution rules. Those regulations are meant to promote the use of EVs and phase out gasoline-powered cars.
But the Government Accountability Office and the Senate’s parliamentarian said the Biden Clean Air Act waivers were not rules under the CRA. That law allows lawmakers and the president to undo recently issued regulations by simple majority.
