Technical corrections only. v5 updates the document from an enrolled bill (v4) to a public law, including the approval date and legislative history. There are no substantive changes to the operative text of the joint resolution.
Providing congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Advanced Clean Cars II; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision".
- Sponsor
- Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 12, 2025
Bottom line
Congress used the Congressional Review Act to block an EPA rule, preventing California from enforcing its stricter Advanced Clean Cars II vehicle emissions standards.
What it actually does
This joint resolution, enacted under the Congressional Review Act, disapproves a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that granted California a waiver to implement its "Advanced Clean Cars II" vehicle emissions standards. By nullifying this EPA rule, the resolution prevents California from enforcing its stricter vehicle emissions regulations, thereby reasserting federal preemption over such standards.
Proponents argue
Proponents of this disapproval argue that it restores regulatory consistency across the nation, preventing a patchwork of state-specific rules that could burden automotive manufacturers and consumers. They contend that federal standards should govern vehicle emissions, ensuring a level playing field and potentially reducing vehicle costs by avoiding the need for manufacturers to produce different models for different states. They may also assert that the EPA's original waiver was an overreach of its authority.
Opponents contend
Opponents of this disapproval (i.e., proponents of the EPA rule and California's waiver) argue that California has a long-standing right and necessity to set its own emissions standards due to unique air quality challenges. They assert that allowing California to lead on emissions technology drives innovation, provides cleaner air for its residents, and ultimately benefits the entire nation by pushing the automotive industry towards more advanced, cleaner vehicles. They view this disapproval as undermining states' rights and environmental protection efforts.
The bill text is extremely short and easy to read, but understanding its full implications requires knowledge of the EPA rule it targets and the Congressional Review Act.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives... That Congress disapproves...
Disapproval of EPA Rule on California Vehicle Emissions Waiver
This provision explicitly states that Congress disapproves the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding "California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Advanced Clean Cars II; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision." By doing so, the resolution declares that the EPA's rule, which would have allowed California to implement stricter vehicle emissions standards, "shall have no force or effect." This effectively blocks California's ability to proceed with those specific advanced clean car standards under the waiver.
Supporters argue
Supporters of this disapproval argue that it restores regulatory consistency across the nation, preventing a patchwork of state-specific rules that could burden manufacturers and consumers. They contend that federal standards should govern vehicle emissions, ensuring a level playing field and potentially reducing vehicle costs by avoiding the need for manufacturers to produce different models for different states. They may also assert that the EPA's original waiver was an overreach of its authority.
Critics contend
Opponents argue that this disapproval undermines California's long-standing authority under the Clean Air Act to set more stringent emissions standards, which has historically driven innovation in the automotive industry. They contend that preventing California from implementing its Advanced Clean Cars II program will lead to higher emissions, worsen air quality, and slow the transition to cleaner vehicle technologies, thereby hindering climate change mitigation efforts.
Tradeoffs
The provision navigates the tension between federal regulatory uniformity and states' rights to set more stringent environmental standards. it also balances economic considerations for the automotive industry against environmental protection goals and public health concerns related to air quality.
The resolution explicitly invokes "chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code," which is the Congressional Review Act (CRA). This reference is crucial because the CRA not only disapproves the specific rule but also prohibits the agency from reissuing a "substantially similar" rule in the future without new statutory authorization from Congress.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives... under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code...
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for referencing existing law. It's not evasive, but it does require external knowledge to grasp the full legal weight.
Case for: Proponents of using the CRA argue it is a vital tool for congressional oversight, allowing elected representatives to check perceived executive branch overreach and ensure agency rules align with legislative intent. They would assert that the "substantially similar" clause is essential to prevent agencies from simply reissuing a disapproved rule under a different name.
Case against: Opponents of using the CRA, particularly in this context, argue that its "substantially similar" clause can have a chilling effect on agency rulemaking, making it difficult for agencies to adapt to new information or address evolving problems. They might contend that it grants Congress an overly broad veto power that stifles necessary regulatory action, especially on complex issues like environmental protection.
Estimated impact: The impact is that the EPA is permanently barred from issuing a rule that is "substantially similar" to the disapproved California waiver for Advanced Clean Cars II, unless Congress passes new legislation explicitly authorizing it. This significantly limits the agency's future regulatory options on this specific issue.