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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment Chairman Gary Palmer (AL-06), and Congressman Jay Obernolte introduced a legislative package to strip away burdensome EPA waivers handed to California under previous Democratic Administrations. These waivers let unelected California regulators impose emissions standards stricter than federal law, allowing one state to dictate standards that have consequences for consumers and businesses nationwide.
All three lawmakers sit on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees the EPA and the Clean Air Act. The push is part of a broader fight to rein in regulators, restore accountability, and stop California's most extreme mandates from quietly becoming the law of the land, without a single vote in Congress.
Together, their three resolutions put Congress back in the driver's seat - reclaiming oversight of EPA's waiver decisions and stopping CARB from imposing its costliest mandates on the rest of the country.
"California should not be allowed to dictate what kind of vehicles Texans and Americans across the country can drive. The Biden Administration's decision to reinstate California's waiver gave one state outsized power to impose its radical emissions standards and EV mandates on the rest of the country. I'm proud to introduce this CRA to restore consumer choice, protect American families from costly mandates, and put an end to California setting de facto national auto policy," said Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11).
"California should not be allowed to set de facto national vehicle standards for the rest of the country. This resolution reaffirms that the Clean Air Act cannot be used to give one state the power to reshape America's auto market. Families deserve affordable, reliable vehicles. Instead, they're getting mandates driven by California's radical political agenda. I'm proud to introduce this resolution and work with Congressman Pfluger and Congressman Obernolte to protect consumer choice and American manufacturing," said Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06).
"As a representative from California, I have seen firsthand how burdensome regulations from the California Air Resources Board hurt businesses and raise costs for hardworking Americans by imposing mandates instead of allowing the market to drive innovation," said Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23). "Congress must exercise its oversight authority to prevent these policies from becoming a national standard. We must protect American jobs and supply chains while preserving the ability of consumers to choose what works best for them and their families."
Reversing Reinstatement of Advanced Clean Cars I Waiver
Rep. Pfluger's resolution would undo the Biden EPA's decision to bring back California's Advanced Clean Cars I waiver - a waiver the Trump administration had already revoked. Its return means stricter-than-federal vehicle mandates, fewer choices at the dealership, and higher costs for American families.
Repealing Greenhouse Gas Standards for Model Year 2009 and Beyond
Rep. Palmer's resolution would revoke California's waiver to set its own greenhouse gas standards for vehicles from model year 2009 on. The result: automakers juggling competing rulebooks, one state's regulators deciding what gets built and sold nationwide, and higher sticker prices for consumers footing the bill.
Revoking the Small Off-Road Engine Mandate
Rep. Obernolte's resolution would kill the waiver behind CARB's Small Off-Road Engine amendments - rules that saddle lawn and garden equipment with costly mandates and push landscapers, small businesses and homeowners toward electric tools whether they want them or not. Workers who need reliable, affordable equipment get higher costs and fewer options instead.
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