**Congress Blocks California's Vehicle Pollution Control Regulations**

Chamber
senate

15 days ago - Politics

Congress Blocks Pollution Control Rules for California Vehicles

In a significant move, Congress has passed a resolution that stops a pollution control rule set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that aimed to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles in California. The resolution, known as H.J. Res. 89, passed with a narrow vote of 49-46 in the Senate.

Republicans led the charge in favor of this resolution, agreeing to block the EPA's rules that were designed to limit nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions. These emissions contribute to air pollution, which can harm people's health and the environment.

The EPA's rules were intended to help improve air quality in California. With this new resolution, those stricter pollution standards will not be enforced starting from April 30, 2025. This means that California will not have the authority to apply the tougher regulations aimed at controlling pollution from vehicles and engines, which could result in higher levels of vehicle emissions across the state.

In simpler terms, Congress has decided that California cannot enforce its rules meant to keep the air cleaner. This major decision could lead to worse air quality for the people living there, affecting their health and the environment.

This is a resolution where Congress says no to a rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about pollution standards for cars and other engines in California.

  1. Congress disapproves the EPA's pollution control rule because it affects how California sets its own rules for cars and engines.
  2. The rule was published on January 6, 2025, and has no power or effect now that Congress has rejected it.
  3. This decision was made official when the House of Representatives passed it on April 30, 2025.

In short, the resolution stops the EPA's rule, allowing California to continue its own pollution standards for vehicles.

95 votes

Yes

49

No

46

Not Voting

5

  1. Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  2. Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 46. Record Vote Number: 281.
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  3. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 46. Record Vote Number: 281.
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  4. Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S3105-3106, S3109-3110)
  5. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 46. Record Vote Number: 280.
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  6. Received in the Senate, read twice.
  7. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  8. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 196 (Roll no. 112). (text: CR H1755)
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  9. On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 196 (Roll no. 112). (text: CR H1755)
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  10. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1760: 1)
  11. POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.J. Res. 89, the Chair put the question on passage of the joint resolution and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  12. The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  13. DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 89.
  14. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 60, H.J. Res. 78, H.J. Res. 87, H.J. Res. 88, and H.J. Res. 89. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 60, H.J. Res. 78, H.J. Res. 87, H.J. Res. 88, and H.J. Res. 89 under a closed rule with one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each joint resolution.
  15. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 354. (consideration: CR H1755-1759: 1)
  16. Engrossed in House

    This is a resolution where Congress says no to a rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about pollution standards for cars and other engines in California.

    1. Congress disapproves the EPA's pollution control rule because it affects how California sets its own rules for cars and engines.
    2. The rule was published on January 6, 2025, and has no power or effect now that Congress has rejected it.
    3. This decision was made official when the House of Representatives passed it on April 30, 2025.

    In short, the resolution stops the EPA's rule, allowing California to continue its own pollution standards for vehicles.

  17. Rule H. Res. 354 passed House.
  18. Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 354 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 60, H.J. Res. 78, H.J. Res. 87, H.J. Res. 88 and H The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 60, H.J. Res. 78, H.J. Res. 87, H.J. Res. 88, and H.J. Res. 89 under a closed rule with one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each joint resolution.
  19. Introduced in House

    This is a resolution that Congress voted to disapprove a rule made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

    The important points are:

    1. Congress does not support a rule from the EPA about pollution control for cars and engines in California.
    2. This rule is known as the "Omnibus Low NOX Regulation."
    3. By disapproving this rule, it will not be enforced.
    4. The resolution was submitted by several representatives on April 2, 2025.
    5. The decision means that California's pollution standards for vehicles, which were set to reduce pollution, will not be allowed to take effect.
  20. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  21. Introduced in House