Republicans Try To Block California’s Gas Vehicle Ban

By Philip Brasher

Some House Republicans, backed by corn growers and oil refiners, are trying to block California’s move to ban the sale of new gas-powered passenger vehicles.

A bill introduced by Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., and more than 50 co-sponsors would stop the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing waivers of provisions related to the Clean Air Act that would be needed by California to implement the ban that the California Air Resources Board adopted in August. The CARB regulations will take effect starting in 2026, when 35% of all car sales in the state must be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The mandate will increase to 68% by 2030.

Higher diesel and fertilizer prices are squeezing farm profit margins ahead of the midterm elections. Farmers in Iowa and Kansas discuss rising harvest costs, the war in Iran and whether those pressures will change their votes. Peter Tubbs reports on the debate over farm input costs and the differing political responses across the Corn Belt.