It’s on Congress to “step up to protect consumer choice nationwide,” says Rep. Neal Dunn, and to remove barriers to vehicle data access
Tallahassee, Fla.—As anticompetitive repair restrictions continue to limit consumer choice, Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL-2) is urging fellow lawmakers to take action on his recently reintroduced national right to repair solution: the bipartisan REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566).
In a new op-ed in RealClearPolicy, Rep. Dunn notes that, while he’s encouraged by actions like Massachusetts’ dismissal of an automaker lawsuit against the state’s right to repair law, state-by-state protections are “insufficient.” Instead, he states, it’s on Congress to “step up to protect consumer choice nationwide.”
Rep. Dunn writes, “Your vehicle belongs to you, not the automaker. It is unacceptable for vehicle manufacturers to put up roadblocks for vehicle owners looking to make routine maintenance to their vehicles and exert autonomy over their possessions and personal data. The REPAIR Act is an important step toward empowering American consumers.”
Members of the automotive aftermarket and independent repair shop owners have also urged lawmakers to protect their livelihoods with federal repair protections such as the REPAIR Act.
The U.S. has 292 million registered passenger and commercial motor vehicles — 70% of which are currently maintained by independent repair facilities. With the increasing complexity of modern vehicles, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), telematics, and software-driven diagnostics, the legislation addresses growing concerns and existing barriers regarding fair access to repair information.
The REPAIR Act protects access to fairly priced, readily available vehicle service options. More than 60 bipartisan cosponsors and more than 500,000 American businesses nationwide have supported the bill since its introduction last session.
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