U.S. Senate vote to nix California tailpipe emissions standard blocks 17 other states

The U.S. Senate voted early last Thursday to prevent California from enforcing regulations on tailpipe emission from new cars and trucks, upending state regulations for the nearly 40 percent of Americans whose states follow California standards. Maryland is one of 17 states and the District following California rules that called for sales of gas-powered cars to be phased out by 2035. The House has already passed an identical measure, meaning the Senate vote sends the resolution to President Donald Trump’s desk.

Next steps: Even with President Trump’s signature, Republicans’ use of the Congressional Review Act in passing the measure will likely trigger lawsuits from California and others in an attempt to safeguard state authority.