So, like, the House of Representatives had this big week where they voted on a bunch of stuff that’s got California all worked up. Apparently, they want to mess with California’s power to make its own rules about the environment. And let me tell you, the Senate is not gonna be happy about it. Democrats are already saying that the Republican leaders in the Senate are gonna have to break some rules to make these new measures happen.
The votes were all about this thing called the Clean Air Act of 1970, which gave California the special power to set super strict pollution rules. Basically, it let them do their own thing when it came to car emissions, separate from what the federal government says. But now, the House is trying to take that power away.
First, they voted to stop California from banning the sale of new gas-only cars by 2035. Then, they voted to end California’s ability to set emissions standards for big trucks and fight smog. Like, what’s up with that? For years, car companies have been following California’s rules because it’s easier than dealing with all the changes in Washington. Plus, a bunch of other states like New York and Colorado also follow California’s lead.
But ever since Trump became president, the Environmental Protection Agency has been questioning whether California should have this much power. They’re saying that maybe the Senate can just vote to get rid of California’s special rules. Trump was all about getting rid of programs that pushed electric cars, which California is all for. They’re trying to phase out gas cars by 2035 with this new thing called Advanced Clean Cars II.
Two offices looked into it and said that California’s power is not something the Senate can mess with. But the House still went ahead and voted on it. Now it’s up to the Senate to decide what to do next. Majority Leader John Thune hasn’t said for sure what he’s gonna do. Democrats like Sen. Alex Padilla are hoping he sticks to the rules, but they’re also ready for anything.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the House vote “lawless” and said they’re gonna keep fighting for their right to make their own rules. The state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta is watching closely and might take legal action if the Senate goes along with the House votes. He’s saying that the Congressional Review Act is not meant for attacking state laws like this.
Some people are happy about the House votes, though. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers and the American Petroleum Institute think it’s a win for consumers. They say California’s ban on gas cars was never legal and that people should be able to choose the cars they want. They’re pushing the Senate to act fast.
Sen. Adam Schiff is gonna try to convince others in the Senate to listen to what the GAO said. Thune promised to follow the rules before, so Schiff is hoping he sticks to his word. He’s calling out the Republicans for trying to mess with California’s rights and wants his colleagues to see how serious this is.
So, it looks like things are heating up in Washington over California’s environmental rules. Who knows what’s gonna happen next, but it seems like this fight is far from over. And California is not backing down without a fight. Let’s see how this all plays out in the end.
