Became Public Law No: 119-15.
This resolution uses the Congressional Review Act to overturn a federal rule the Environmental Protection Agency submitted regarding California vehicle and engine pollution control standards and related provisions. If enacted, the resolution would make that rule have no force or effect and would bar the agency from issuing a substantially similar rule in the future unless Congress enacts new law. The CRA gives Congress a fast way to reject recently issued agency rules.
California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty and Maintenance Provisions; Advanced Clean Trucks; Zero Emission Airport Shuttle; Zero-Emission Power Train Certification; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision (88 Fed. Reg. 20688 (April 6, 2023)).
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Under the Congressional Review Act this joint resolution follows an expedited Senate process that limits debate and cannot be filibustered, so a simple majority can pass the Senate; as a joint resolution it must also be approved by both chambers and be signed by the President or have a veto overridden.
This joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act disapproves and nullifies an Environmental Protection Agency rule (88 Fed.
Reg. 20688, April 6, 2023) concerning EPA’s decision to grant California waivers and related approvals for heavy-duty vehicle and engine standards and related zero-emission provisions.
As enacted, the resolution states the specified EPA rule "shall have no force or effect," effectively reversing the EPA notice of decision regarding California’s motor vehicle and engine pollution control standards and related items.
Narrow, low-cost measure but highly polarizing and removes state regulatory authority; outcome hinges on chamber majorities and executive response.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a concise Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution that clearly identifies the targeted EPA rule and states the operative effect (no force or effect). It appropriately relies on the underlying CRA statutory mechanism, resulting in minimal but sufficient drafting for a single-rule disapproval.
Climate vs. regulatory burden: liberals stress emissions, conservatives stress costs.
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Climate vs. regulatory burden: liberals stress emissions, conservatives stress costs.
Likely views the resolution negatively as a rollback of state ability to adopt stronger clean-vehicle standards.
Sees it as undermining emissions reductions, climate goals, and environmental justice, and as emboldening federal interference in state environmental policy.
Mixed view: appreciates congressional oversight and desire for regulatory clarity, but worries about the environmental and political effects of nullifying waivers.
Seeks a pragmatic tradeoff between predictable national rules and ambitious emissions reductions.
Likely supports the resolution as a check on EPA and as protection against California-imposed de facto national standards.
Views nullification as reducing regulatory burden and protecting interstate commerce and manufacturers from a patchwork of state rules.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Narrow, low-cost measure but highly polarizing and removes state regulatory authority; outcome hinges on chamber majorities and executive response.
The Senate formally adopted this resolution.
A resolution is a formal statement or decision by the chamber. Simple resolutions apply only to one chamber; joint resolutions require both chambers.
The Senate agreed to bring this bill to the floor. Debate and amendment votes can now begin.
The House passed this bill. It now goes to the other chamber, and eventually to the President for signature.
The final vote on whether the bill becomes law (pending the other chamber and the President).
Climate vs. regulatory burden: liberals stress emissions, conservatives stress costs.
Narrow, low-cost measure but highly polarizing and removes state regulatory authority; outcome hinges on chamber majorities and executive r…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a concise Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution that clearly identifies the targeted EPA rule and states the operative effect (no force or effect). It ap…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.