The filibuster is under the microscope again as Senate Republicans voted to overturn a federal regulation and nix California’s vehicle emissions standards, forcing the party to defend the maneuver in the face of Democratic claims they have set a new standard on the 60-vote rule.

Senate GOP members on Thursday voted to strike down federal waivers granted by the Biden administration that would have allowed the state to phase out gas-powered cars over the next decade via the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

They did so despite the Government Accountability Office (GAO) ruling that the waivers don’t qualify as rules under the CRA — which the Senate parliamentarian agreed with.

The move allowed Republicans to overturn the waivers with a simple majority, rather than the 60-vote threshold for most legislative items. In the process, it also renewed chatter about the filibuster. But Republicans insist they are not chipping away at the tradition, despite Democratic outcries.

“The Environmental Protection Agency submitted these rules as rules to Congress this year after being released by the Biden administration in its last days in office. That is a fact,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said on the floor Wednesday morning.

“Under the Congressional Review Act, that makes them subject to review. Period. End of story. The GAO has no veto power over the Senate. Not from the Congressional Review Act. Not under the Senate Rules. Not under Senate precedent,”........

© The Hill