Gavin Newsom Calls Senate Vote ‘Illegal’ and an ‘Unconstitutional Attack’

Newsom Calls Senate Vote Blocking Gas Car Ban ‘Illegal’

California Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing back against a recent U.S. Senate vote that blocks the state’s pioneering plan to ban new gas-powered car sales by 2035, calling the move “illegal” and “an unconstitutional attack.” He announced Thursday that California will take legal action to defend its emissions standards, which had been previously approved by the Biden administration before President Trump returned to office.

“This is not about electric vehicles,” Newsom said. “This is about polluters being able to pollute more.” Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK

Senate Republicans Bypass Rules to Advance Fossil Fuel Agenda

The Senate vote, which also targets California rules curbing tailpipe emissions and nitrogen oxide pollution from trucks, represents a broader push by Republican lawmakers to undo climate regulations and bolster fossil fuel industries. GOP Senators circumvented typical legislative procedures—creating a special exception to the filibuster rule—to pass the resolutions with a simple majority. Wilmer Olano / Unsplash

California AG: GOP ‘Bending the Knee to Trump’

California Attorney General Rob Bonta supported Newsom’s stance, stating: “With these votes, Senate Republicans are bending the knee to President Trump once again. The weaponization of the Congressional Review Act to attack California’s waivers is just another part of the continuous, partisan campaign against California’s efforts to protect the public and the planet from harmful pollution.” CLIFFORD OTO/THE STOCKTON RECORD / USA TODAY NETWORK

Democrats Warn of Precedent as Environmental Groups Condemn Vote

Environmental advocates and Democratic leaders also condemned the Senate’s actions. Senator Adam Schiff warned the votes should “send a chill down the spine of legislators in every state,” while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the maneuver a “point of no return.” Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Slotkin Sides With GOP Citing Auto Jobs; Critics Say Mandate ‘Unrealistic’

Not all Democrats opposed the resolutions. Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin broke ranks, citing the importance of protecting auto industry jobs in her state. Meanwhile, John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, called California’s clean car mandate “never achievable,” arguing that compliance would require automakers to buy expensive credits from Tesla. Paul Sancya-Pool via Imagn Images

California Joins Multi-State Coalition to Defend EV Standards

Despite the setback, Newsom pledged to continue California’s push toward a cleaner transportation future. He announced the state would join ten others in a new coalition—the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition—aimed at preserving states’ rights to enforce stricter emission standards and pushing forward with electric vehicle adoption. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

Newsom: ‘We Won’t Stand By’ as GOP Tries to Undo Climate Progress

“As Trump Republicans make America smoggy again,” Newsom said, “we won’t stand by. We’re going to fight this unconstitutional attack on California in court.” JUAN CARLO/THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK