The Democratic government of California is preparing to take legal action against the federal government following a contentious vote in the U.S. Senate that effectively rolls back the state’s electric vehicle (EV) mandate. The decision comes amid a growing battle over climate policy, state autonomy, and federal regulatory authority, highlighting the ongoing tension between progressive environmental initiatives and conservative resistance.

On Thursday, the Republican-controlled Senate voted to eliminate several key waivers previously granted to California under the Biden administration. These waivers allowed the state to set its own vehicle emissions standards, exceeding federal requirements. According to CNN, the vote specifically nullified a last-minute Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval that would have permitted California to gradually phase out gas-powered vehicles by 2035. The Senate action, championed by Republicans, effectively blocks the state’s ambitious plan to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.