Dozens of Dems Turn on Gavin Newsom, End His Electric Vehicle Fantasy Mandate

A bipartisan coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to repeal California Governor Gavin Newsom’s attempt to ban gas-powered vehicle sales in the state by 2035.

The vote, which saw 35 Democrats break ranks to join Republicans, was held under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) and marks a significant pushback against aggressive state-level climate mandates.

Dozens of Democrats Join Republicans to Repeal Newsom’s Ban on Gas-Powered Cars
Thirty-five Democrats in the U.S. House joined Republicans last week to repeal California Governor Gavin Newsom’s attempt to ban sales of gas-powered cars in his state in favor of electric vehicles… pic.twitter.com/LrnAEHyRkN

— Climate Dispatch (@ccdeditor) May 7, 2025

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The measure targets a waiver granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to California, allowing the state to enforce its own stricter emissions standards, including a phased ban on new gas-powered vehicle sales.

Newsom announced the plan in 2020, declaring that all new passenger vehicles sold in the state would need to be electric by 2035. The rules were finalized in 2022.

The CRA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton and allows Congress to overturn federal agency regulations that were not properly submitted for review.

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While it had seen limited use for years, the act gained prominence in 2017 when Republicans used it to roll back several last-minute regulations implemented under the Obama administration.

Supporters of the repeal argue that the EPA waiver, granted during the final months of the Biden-Harris administration, was misused.

Originally designed to allow California to address smog issues, the waiver was expanded under pressure from California lawmakers to include broader carbon emission regulations tied to climate change goals.

I am invoking the Congressional Review Act to stop Governor Newsom’s gas car ban from going into effect. Outlawing all gas-powered vehicles by 2035 is an insane policy that must be reversed. pic.twitter.com/RwWa9zyTFi

— Rep. Kevin Kiley (@RepKiley) April 14, 2025

In a 246–164 vote, the House passed the resolution to nullify the waiver.

Notably, 35 House Democrats supported the repeal, citing economic and practical concerns over the rapid shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in regions where EV infrastructure is lacking or EV adoption remains low.

Among the Democrats who joined Republicans were representatives from industrial and swing states heavily dependent on the auto industry.

This included three of six Democrats from Michigan, three of five from Ohio, and four of twelve from Texas.

Even two California Democrats — Reps. Luis Correa and George Whitesides — voted in favor of the repeal, indicating growing concern over the feasibility of Newsom’s mandate.

Despite being a strong proponent of climate-focused policy, Newsom has faced criticism for the timing and execution of the gas car ban.

His 2020 announcement came just weeks after California’s power grid faced rolling blackouts and he urged residents to reduce energy usage, acknowledging that green energy sources had not yet met the state’s demand.

Governor Newsom responded to the House vote by calling the effort “illegal,” asserting that the federal waiver granted to California is beyond the scope of Congressional intervention under the CRA.

However, legal experts and lawmakers countered that the vote was aimed at repealing the federal waiver itself—not the state’s internal policy.

The Wall Street Journal noted the significance of the bipartisan support for the resolution, pointing to growing fractures in Democrat unity on climate issues as economic realities begin to weigh on constituents.

The New York Times also acknowledged this shift, stating that political consensus on climate initiatives is beginning to erode under voter pressure.

Electric vehicle sales in California remain below levels required to meet Newsom’s 2035 goal.

Despite being the leading state in EV adoption, the market has not grown at a pace consistent with full implementation of an all-electric mandate, and infrastructure challenges persist.

The Congressional resolution now moves to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain.

However, the House vote signals increasing resistance—even within the Democratic Party—to environmental policies perceived as overly ambitious or economically burdensome.

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