Breaking News: Trump Signs Congressionally Approved Order to Reverse California’s 2035 Gas Car Ban

Signing Restores Driver Choice, Faces Likely Court Battles

A Victory for Freedom of Choice

Moments ago, President Donald Trump signed legislation reversing California’s 2035 ban on new gas-powered car sales, a policy approved by the Biden administration. Led by principled taxfighters like Congressman Kevin Kiley, the bill overturns the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) mandate to phase out gasoline vehicles, which influenced 11 other states and a third of the U.S. auto market. This action restores the right of Californians—and Americans nationwide—to choose vehicles that suit their needs, rejecting restrictive environmental mandates.

A Blow to Bureaucratic Overreach

Using Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions, the reversal targets what many saw as California’s regulatory overreach. The CARB plan, set to eliminate gas-powered car sales by 2035, was criticized for raising costs for working families and clashing with the realities of rural and suburban life. Trump’s signature aligns with the 55% of Californians who, per a recent PPIC survey, favor lower taxes and fewer government services, signaling a broader push against Sacramento’s heavy-handed policies.

Economic and Practical Impacts

Lifting the ban offers relief for consumers. Gas-powered vehicles, often more affordable than electric alternatives, remain essential for millions with long commutes or limited charging infrastructure. The legislation prioritizes affordability and practicality, ensuring drivers can make choices based on their work, family, or lifestyle needs. It also checks California’s outsized influence over national policy, reinforcing that one state shouldn’t dictate the nation’s auto market.

Court Battles Over Senate Procedure

The repeal faces legal hurdles over the use of the CRA. The Senate Parliamentarian, supported by the Government Accountability Office, ruled that California’s Clean Air Act waiver—granted by the EPA at the end of last year—is an order, not a rule, and thus not subject to CRA recission, which targets federal regulations. Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader John Thune, bypassed this with a procedural maneuver, passing the measure 51-46. California, led by Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, is poised to sue, arguing this misapplication of the CRA infringes on state authority under the Clean Air Act. The dispute could reach the Supreme Court, where its skepticism of regulatory overreach may face off against concerns over federal overstep, creating prolonged uncertainty.