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Oklahoma’s delegation in the U.S. House feels the Biden administration’s EPA and the state of California went too far in their anti-gasoline vehicle mandates. At least, that’s what they showed in their vote against the plan.
All five members, Stephanie Bice, Josh Brecheen, Tom Cole, Kevin Hern and Frank Lucas were in the majority Wednesday and Thursday as the U.S. House voted to reject the controversial plans. The 246-164 vote Thursday morning was considered a blow to California’s controversial EV mandate which included a ban of the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035. It was also considered a swipe at the Biden Administration’s EPA which issued a December 2024 waiver under the Clean Air Act for the plan.
It brought immediate response from American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers who along with American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers President and CEO Chet Thompson called it a huge win for U.S. consumers.
“We are one step closer to restoring consumers’ ability to choose the cars that best meet their needs. California’s unlawful ban should never have been authorized, and Governor Newsom should never have been allowed to seize this much control over the American vehicle market,” said the two in a statement on Thursday.
Oklahoma’s congressional delegation in the U.S. House sided with the majority Wednesday in rescinding the Biden Administration’s EPA approval in 2023 of California’s contested plans to require zero-emission standards on heavy-duty trucks.
The vote was 225-196 and Oklahoma Reps. Bice, Brecheen, Cole, Hern and Lucas were among the majority. A similar vote was taken on a move to repeal and EPA waiver issued by former President Joe Biden to support California’s “Omnibus” low-NOx regulation for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles and engines. The repeal vote was 231-191 and again, all members of the Oklahoma delegation supported the repeal.
As reported by Reuters, there is still a legal question whether Congress can revoke any of the waivers using the Congressional Review Act. A conclusion reached in March by the Government Accountability Office claimed waivers cannot be repealed under the CRA which only requires a majority of the U-S Senate.
California leaders reacted to the two votes, contending they violate the Congressional Review Act as well as nonpartisan analyses of the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Senate Parliamentarian.
“CARB will continue its mission to protect the public health of Californians impacted by harmful air pollution,” a board spokesperson said.
“CARB will continue its mission to protect the public health of Californians impacted by harmful air pollution,” a board spokesperson said the California Air Resources Board.