Mike Lee, a U.S. senator from Utah, has urged Senate Republicans to take action by June to prevent California’s ban on internal combustion engines from impacting the rest of the country. He made this statement on X.
“Senate Republicans have until June to stop California from banning the internal combustion engine,” said Lee. “Effectively throughout the entire country.”
According to the Washington Post, in May 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 246–164 to block California from enforcing its rule to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. This move challenges the Environmental Protection Agency’s waiver granted to California under the Clean Air Act, which allows the state to set stricter emissions standards than federal regulations. The resolution’s future in the Senate remains uncertain, especially given legal opinions questioning Congress’s authority to revoke such waivers.
As reported by AP News, Senate Republicans are considering using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn California’s vehicle emissions standards, including the 2035 ban on new gas-powered cars. However, both the Senate Parliamentarian and the Government Accountability Office have said that the CRA does not apply to state waivers granted under the Clean Air Act. Despite these legal opinions, the Senate’s decision on this matter is still pending.
The Washington Post reported that California’s vehicle emissions standards have been adopted by 11 other states, collectively representing about 40% of the U.S. auto market. These states have pledged to follow California’s plan to phase out new gas-powered vehicle sales by 2035. The widespread adoption amplifies the national impact of California’s policies, prompting federal legislative responses.
Senator Lee graduated from Brigham Young University with degrees in Political Science and Law and later clerked for future Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, according to his website. His legal career includes roles in private practice, as Assistant U.S. Attorney, and General Counsel to Utah’s Governor. Now, he serves on Senate committees including Judiciary and Budget.
