Today, the House Rules Committee advanced the motion to rescind California’s Clean Air Act waivers to the full House floor, despite a recent ruling from the Senate parliamentarian reaffirming the waivers are not subject to repeal under the Congressional Review Act. In response, Evergreen Action Vice President for States Justin Balik released the following statement:

“By voting to move forward with their effort to overturn California’s Advanced Clean Cars and Clean Trucks rules, congressional Republicans are blatantly disregarding both the Senate parliamentarian’s clear guidance and rule of law. This stunt is a baseless attempt to weaponize a narrow legislative tool to prop up the fossil fuel industry. 

“This is not just a procedural overstep—it’s a willful, unlawful abuse of congressional authority aimed at stripping states of their long-standing authority to protect public health and lead on climate action. The waivers in question are not federal rules and have been repeatedly affirmed as lawful. Ignoring that fact doesn’t make any of it less true—no matter how many times they try to pretend otherwise.”