U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, addressed the Senate GOP Leadership Press Conference today. She discussed a joint resolution of disapproval she introduced under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn California’s electric vehicle waiver. This waiver would prohibit the sale of new gas-powered light-duty vehicles by 2035.
During her remarks, Senator Capito highlighted her role in leading the effort against the California waiver through the Congressional Review Act. She criticized the rule, describing it as excessively restrictive and limiting consumer choice. “The onerous quality of this rule is just beyond description,” she stated, emphasizing that it forces consumers in certain states to purchase vehicles they may not want or be able to find.
Senator Capito also commented on the delay in granting California’s waiver request by the Biden administration. She noted that although California requested the waiver in May 2023, it was not approved until December 2024. She suggested that this delay was due to widespread public opposition: “Because they know the American people reject this handily.”
Regarding procedural aspects, Senator Capito pointed out that under Administrator Zeldin’s leadership during the Trump administration, the rule was submitted to Congress within CRA boundaries.
