US Senators Push to Repeal California Vehicle Emissions Waivers

Four Republican senators—Cynthia Lummis, Eric Schmitt, Pete Ricketts and Jon Husted—have introduced legislation to repeal the Clean Air Act waivers that allow California to enforce vehicle emissions standards stricter than federal rules. The proposal would use the Congressional Review Act, permitting repeal with a simple Senate majority, unlike most legislation that requires a 60‑vote supermajority.

California has sued, arguing that sending the waivers to the Senate under the CRA was illegal. The targeted waivers include the Advanced Clean Cars I (ACC I) rules approved in 2022, which require automakers to sell an increasing share of electric vehicles and meet tighter tailpipe limits. Repealing the waivers could roll back the state’s climate authority, create regulatory uncertainty for manufacturers, and affect the broader U.S. auto market.

The EPA sent the waivers to Congress in June, and the move reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to weaken federal fuel‑economy standards and limit California’s ability to set its own emissions agenda.