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State

California lawmakers saw Sen. Alex Padilla’s forceful removal as ‘lawless’

California Democrats are calling for committee hearings and an investigation into how Sen. Alex Padilla was treated by federal agents when he was forcibly removed from a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The incident occurred at a press conference Thursday in Los Angeles. It immediately captured the attention of the rest of the...

Senate overturns California’s electric vehicle mandate

The Senate voted 51-44 to overturn California’s electric-vehicle mandate via the Congressional Review Act on Thursday, defying the Government Accountability Office and the Senate parliamentarian. Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate’s parliamentarian, said the chamber could not use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) — a maneuver that permits a 50-vote threshold for overturning agency rules in the...

Senate Republicans plan to eliminate California phase out of gas cars

Republicans are planning to break decades of precedent and overrule the Senate parliamentarian to undo a Biden-era environmental policy. Majority Leader John Thune announced Tuesday morning that the Senate will take up the vote to overturn waivers the Environmental Protection Agency granted to California that allowed the state to phase out gas-powered cars. The Senate...

California lawmakers want to let citizens sue Elon Musk over DOGE cuts

A trio of freshmen House Democrats introduced a bill on Thursday that would allow individuals to sue the government — and even specific officials like Elon Musk — over decisions that block congressionally approved spending. California Reps. Sam Liccardo and Dave Min, along with Virginia Rep. Eugene Vindman, introduced the Protect Our Constitution and Communities...

California immigrant fast-food workers afraid to report work abuses

A report on fast-food workers shows immigrants are often too scared to report violations and are largely unaware of their rights. The California Fast Food Workers Union’s latest report done in collaboration with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights documents worker experiences. The groups surveyed 405 workers at more than 200 fast-food locations throughout the...

‘It’s a stupid idea’: California lawmakers say about reopening Alcatraz

California lawmakers reacted to President Donald Trump’s suggestion that he would reopen Alcatraz with laughter, mockery and, for Democrats, indignation. “I won’t suggest who should go there first,” Rep. Sam Liccardo said. Trump posted on Sunday evening that he was ordering the refurbishment of Alcatraz, the island prison-turned historic landmark and tourist site off of...