A Direct Threat to Our Health
In Bakersfield, the air burns your throat. In Los Angeles, asthma keeps kids from playing outside. Yet, Senate Republicans, led by John Thune, plan to gut California’s clean vehicle program this week. Their vote, misusing the Congressional Review Act, aims to erase decades of hard-won progress on air quality. For 10 million Californians trapped in severe ozone zones, this feels like a betrayal.
California’s clean car and truck standards, built on Clean Air Act waivers from the Nixon administration, have curbed pollution while sparking innovation. Upheld by Ronald Reagan and every president since, these waivers empower the state to fight its unique air quality crisis. Five of the nation’s ten most polluted cities are in California. Why would anyone vote to make that crisis worse?
This Senate action ignores clear rulings. The Government Accountability Office and Senate Parliamentarian have stated that these waivers fall outside the Congressional Review Act’s scope. The vote is not only unlawful but a direct attack on the health of millions and the economic stability of a state leading the charge against climate change.
The stakes are personal. Clean air means fewer hospital visits, healthier children, and longer lives. Dismantling these standards puts all that at risk, prioritizing polluters over people.
The Real Cost of Dirty Air
Air pollution hits hard. It’s emergency room visits, missed work, and chronic illnesses. Across the U.S., 156 million people breathe air that fails federal health standards, with ozone and particulates fueling asthma and heart disease. In California’s San Joaquin Valley, families face sky-high rates of respiratory illness. Zero-emission vehicles are a critical tool to change this reality.
Undoing these standards will burden Californians with $45 billion in healthcare costs. That’s real money, pulled from family budgets to treat preventable diseases. In contrast, zero-emission vehicles save drivers $91 billion by 2040 through lower fuel and maintenance expenses. Why do Senate Republicans choose sickness over savings?
Voices like Senator Alex Padilla and groups like the Center for Biological Diversity warn that this rollback threatens both public health and climate progress. The Biden administration’s emissions rules, aligned with California’s, aim to slash 7 billion metric tons of CO2 by 2055. That’s a future worth fighting for.
Surrendering to China’s Lead
This vote undermines more than our air. It weakens America’s place in the global economy. China now dominates electric vehicle production, making 70% of the world’s EVs. Global EV sales jumped 29% in early 2025, driven by affordable Chinese models. The U.S., increasingly reliant on EV imports, risks losing its edge in a critical industry.
California’s standards fuel innovation and create jobs, keeping America competitive. The Inflation Reduction Act’s $7,500 clean vehicle tax credit, paired with investments in U.S. battery production, shows the power of forward-thinking policy. Yet, figures like Shelley Moore Capito argue these rules strain manufacturers. Their alternative hands the advantage to China, leaving American workers behind.
The path forward is clear. By supporting California’s leadership, we secure clean air and economic strength. Weakening these standards surrenders our future to a world where China sets the standard.
A Battle for Our Planet
California’s record speaks for itself. Since 2000, greenhouse gas emissions fell 20%, while the economy grew 78%. Last year, the state’s grid ran on clean energy for 51 days. Battery storage has surged 1,900% under Governor Newsom. These achievements show that clean policies deliver results.
The Senate’s vote puts this progress in jeopardy. Key Republicans, like Susan Collins or Lisa Murkowski, could tip the balance. Will they defend families breathing cleaner air or side with industries tied to the past? Their decision will echo for generations, shaping our health, economy, and environment.
This fight matters. California’s clean vehicle program sets a standard for the nation, proving we can prioritize people over profits. We must urge our senators to protect it, securing a future where our children breathe freely and America leads the world in clean technology.