Became Public Law No: 119-17.
This resolution uses the Congressional Review Act to nullify a recently issued federal rule. It says the rule has no force or effect and prevents the agency from reissuing a substantially similar rule without new statutory authority. As a joint resolution, if passed by both chambers it is sent to the President for signature or veto.
The rule titled "California State Motor Vehicle and Engine and Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; The 'Omnibus' Low NOX Regulation; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision" (published at 90 Fed. Reg. 643 on January 6, 2025).
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Under the Congressional Review Act, disapproval resolutions in the Senate are privileged, not subject to a filibuster, and pass by a simple majority with limited debate; they must be introduced within a short time after the rule was submitted. As a joint resolution, final approval requires passage by both chambers and presentment to the President, who can sign or veto it.
This joint resolution, enacted under the Congressional Review Act, disapproves and nullifies an EPA rule that granted California a waiver to implement its Low NOx motor vehicle, engine, and nonroad engine pollution standards (90 Fed.
Reg. 643, Jan 6, 2025).
The resolution declares that the EPA rule "shall have no force or effect." It removes the specific waiver decision and prevents that rule from taking effect absent new statutory or administrative action.
Narrow and administratively simple but ideologically charged and affecting state authority; success depends on chamber votes and executive approval.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a concise Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution that precisely identifies the targeted EPA rule and declares it to have no force or effect. It performs the core statutory function with clear specificity but provides minimal supplementary material.
Environmental/health benefits of California's rule vs regulatory burden concerns
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Environmental/health benefits of California's rule vs regulatory burden concerns
Likely strongly opposed.
They would view the resolution as blocking stronger air pollution controls and undermining state authority to protect public health.
They would see it as setting a negative precedent restricting EPA and state climate and air quality leadership.
Mixed/conditional.
Appreciates concerns about regulatory fragmentation and manufacturer burdens, but worries about environmental and public health impacts.
Would favor a compromise: national standards that achieve emissions goals while minimizing inconsistent state rules.
Likely supportive.
Views the resolution as restoring regulatory uniformity, protecting manufacturers from state-specific mandates, and restraining EPA expansion.
Sees blocking the waiver as sensible to avoid burdensome California-imposed rules on other states and industry.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Narrow and administratively simple but ideologically charged and affecting state authority; success depends on chamber votes and executive approval.
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).
Environmental/health benefits of California's rule vs regulatory burden concerns
Narrow and administratively simple but ideologically charged and affecting state authority; success depends on chamber votes and executive…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a concise Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution that precisely identifies the targeted EPA rule and declares it to have no force or effect. It performs t…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.