US Senate votes to block California emission rules

The US Senate has voted to block California's ambitious mandate requiring the phase-out of gasoline-powered vehicles, delivering a significant setback to the state's transition toward clean energy and setting the stage for a legal confrontation.

In a 51-44 party-line vote, the Republican-controlled Senate voted on Thursday to revoke federal waivers that permit California to establish vehicle emission standards stricter than federal rules. The measure, which has passed the House of Representatives, now awaits President Donald Trump's signature.

The congressional action represents the first time in more than six decades that lawmakers have moved to block California's vehicle emission standards, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing national debate over electric vehicle policy and state regulatory authority.