May 21, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Senate votes to ignore GAO, parliamentarian to end EV rule

Stef W. Kight

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) speaks to reporters outside of his office in the U.S. Capitol Building — Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) speaks to reporters outside of his office. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Senate Republicans voted to move forward with repealing California's EV mandate — ignoring opinions from the Government Accountability Office and Senate parliamentarian.

Why it matters: Democrats have called it the "nuclear option," warning Republicans are setting a new precedent for what kind of rules can be undone by Congress.

Republicans argue it is a unique case and that GAO is inappropriately trying to interfere with what lawmakers are able to repeal through the Congressional Review Act.
"I suspect Democrats are trying to use a situation as cover to justify abolishing the filibuster the next time they're in charge," Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on the floor Wednesday evening.
"This is a sad, shameful, disappointing day for the US Senate," Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the floor Wednesday evening. "Republicans, I believe, I am certain, will come to regret the ill-considered step they take tonight."

Zoom in: Thune raised a point of order to clear the way procedurally for a vote on the CRA resolutions. Republicans then voted to move forward.

The Senate will now move to undo three of California's Clean Air Act waivers that would eventually ban various gas-powered vehicles.

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Senate votes to ignore GAO, parliamentarian to end EV rule

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