"Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) is placing a hold on the Trump administration’s picks for key roles at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over Republican efforts to ax a California state rule that phases out new gas-powered cars in the state.

The hold may not ultimately block the four pending EPA nominees from being confirmed, but it will slow the process, requiring the chamber to spend hours debating and taking additional votes for each nominee.

With a handful of nominees, holds are more of an annoyance, though in some cases, like when Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) put holds on hundreds of military promotions, they have successfully delayed nominations for a significant period.

Padilla’s office said in a written statement that his hold would last “until Republicans stop their reckless attempts to overrule the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision regarding California’s clean air waivers.”"

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill May 20, 2025. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Thune Tees Up Vote To Nix California’s EV Mandate, Defying Senate Parliamentarian" (The Hill) [3]