'Not the United States of California': GOP Launches War on State's EV Rules

Paul Riverbank, 5/1/2025GOP challenges California's power to set national vehicle emission standards and EV mandates.

California's Influence: A Double-Edged Sword in American Politics

Having covered state politics for over two decades, I've watched California's role in national policy evolve from mere trendsetter to something far more complex. The latest controversies surrounding the Golden State's vehicle emission standards perfectly illustrate this transformation.

Last week, Rep. Vince Fong threw down the gauntlet. "One state shouldn't have the power to set vehicle policy for the entire country," he declared, voicing a frustration I've heard echoing through state houses across America. The Bakersfield Republican's criticism hits at the heart of a longstanding debate about federalism and state authority.

The pushback isn't just political theater. House Republicans are actively working to dismantle EPA waivers that let other states follow California's strict emission playbook. These aren't minor regulatory tweaks – we're talking about California's ambitious "Advanced Clean Cars II" program, which would effectively end new gas-powered car sales by 2035.

I spoke with several industry insiders about this. Chris Spear of the American Trucking Association didn't mince words: "This is not the United States of California." His comment stuck with me because it captures the growing resentment toward California's outsized influence on national standards.

But here's where it gets interesting. While the emissions battle rages, California's wrestling with equally contentious social policies. Take their approach to criminal justice reform – it's become a Rorschach test for how Americans view the balance between public safety and social equity. Some see a model for progressive reform; others point to rising crime rates in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The state's also knee-deep in culture war issues. Just yesterday, I attended the Frameline Film Festival's announcement of "Heightened Scrutiny," a documentary following ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio's fight against anti-trans legislation. The timing couldn't be more relevant given the national debate over transgender rights.

What fascinates me most is how California manages to be both pioneer and pariah. Fong's observation that California represents "what not to do" regarding EV mandates reflects a broader skepticism about the state's policy experiments. Yet these experiments, for better or worse, continue shaping national conversations.

Looking ahead, I expect these tensions to intensify. The question isn't whether California will influence national policy – it's how much pushback that influence will generate. As someone who's watched this dynamic play out repeatedly, I can tell you: we're far from reaching equilibrium.

California's Influence: A Double-Edged Sword in American PoliticsHaving covered state politics for over two decades, I've watched California's role in national policy evolve from mere trendsetter to something far more complex. The latest controversies surrounding the Golden State's vehicle emission standards perfectly illustrate this transformation.Last week, Rep. Vince Fong threw down the gauntlet. "One state shouldn't have the power to set vehicle policy for the entire country," he declared, voicing a frustration I've heard echoing through state houses across America. The Bakersfield Republican's criticism hits at the heart of a longstanding debate about federalism and state authority.The pushback isn't just political theater. House Republicans are actively working to dismantle EPA waivers that let other states follow California's strict emission playbook. These aren't minor regulatory tweaks – we're talking about California's ambitious "Advanced Clean Cars II" program, which would effectively end new gas-powered car sales by 2035.I spoke with several industry insiders about this. Chris Spear of the American Trucking Association didn't mince words: "This is not the United States of California." His comment stuck with me because it captures the growing resentment toward California's outsized influence on national standards.But here's where it gets interesting. While the emissions battle rages, California's wrestling with equally contentious social policies. Take their approach to criminal justice reform – it's become a Rorschach test for how Americans view the balance between public safety and social equity. Some see a model for progressive reform; others point to rising crime rates in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.The state's also knee-deep in culture war issues. Just yesterday, I attended the Frameline Film Festival's announcement of "Heightened Scrutiny," a documentary following ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio's fight against anti-trans legislation. The timing couldn't be more relevant given the national debate over transgender rights.What fascinates me most is how California manages to be both pioneer and pariah. Fong's observation that California represents "what not to do" regarding EV mandates reflects a broader skepticism about the state's policy experiments. Yet these experiments, for better or worse, continue shaping national conversations.Looking ahead, I expect these tensions to intensify. The question isn't whether California will influence national policy – it's how much pushback that influence will generate. As someone who's watched this dynamic play out repeatedly, I can tell you: we're far from reaching equilibrium.