Today, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution led by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) to repeal California’s “Advanced Clean Cars II” regulation. This regulation mandates that all new light-duty vehicles sold in the state be electric by 2035. The resolution, introduced under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), now awaits President Trump’s decision.
Senator Capito expressed satisfaction with the Senate’s decision: “Today, the Senate voted to end California’s EV mandate and send my joint resolution of disapproval under the CRA to President Trump’s desk. The Biden administration and Congressional Democrats tried to block the will of the American people from this attempt by extreme unelected California and Biden EPA bureaucrats to ban gas-powered cars throughout the country, but Congress has now spoken and soundly rejected this rule.”
Capito emphasized that California’s waiver would have national repercussions, potentially affecting multiple economic sectors and resulting in significant job losses. She stated her commitment to protecting American workers and consumers from what she described as a radical policy.
Earlier efforts by Senator Capito included collaboration with other lawmakers in a bicameral letter sent on February 28, 2024, warning EPA Administrator Michael Regan about potential legal and economic issues arising from California’s waiver request. On December 18, 2024, she pledged to reverse actions approving this waiver.
On April 4, 2025, Capito joined Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) in introducing resolutions of disapproval against California’s regulations for both light-duty vehicles and heavy-duty trucks.
The House of Representatives had already passed similar resolutions on May 1, 2025. Most recently, on May 21, 2025, Capito spoke on the Senate floor about ending California’s EV mandate.
