President Donald Trump is expected to sign three resolutions on Thursday that will overturn California’s authority to enforce electric vehicle (EV) sales mandates and stop the state from upholding strict pollution rules for trucks and diesel engines.
These resolutions were passed by Congress using a special law called the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which lets lawmakers quickly overturn certain federal rules without needing a supermajority in the Senate.
A key resolution cancels a rule approved by the Biden administration that permitted California to require 80% of new cars sold by 2035 to be electric.
Two other resolutions stop California from enforcing rules to increase sales of zero-emission trucks and to cut nitrogen oxide pollution from heavy-duty engines.
This is the first time since the CRA was created in 1996 that it has been used to reverse environmental waivers.
The move follows Trump’s earlier efforts during his first term to take away California’s special power to set stricter pollution rules, which had been restored under the Biden administration.
California leaders oppose Trump’s resolutions. Governor Gavin Newsom said the state would challenge the decision in court, and Attorney General Rob Bonta said he plans to sue as soon as Trump signs the resolutions.
“If it’s a day ending in Y, it’s another day of Trump’s war on California. We’re fighting back,” Newsom spokesperson Daniel Villaseñor said.
Automakers such as General Motors and Toyota have expressed support for the resolutions, arguing California’s rules are too extreme, do not match market conditions, and could make cars more costly.