Congressional Support for Right to Repair Act Growing

Momentum is building on Capitol Hill for the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act. A total of 80 Congressman have signed on as sponsors to HR 2735, according to AAIA. Among the growing number of sponsors lining up behind sponsors Reps. Joe Barton (R-Texas), and Edolphus Towns (D-NY), are 13 members of The House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Consideration by this committee will be a critical first stop toward obtaining enactment.

BETHESDA, MD — Momentum is building on Capitol Hill for the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act. A total of 80 Congressman have signed on as sponsors to HR 2735, according to AAIA.

Among the growing number of sponsors lining up behind sponsors Reps. Joe Barton (R-Texas), and Edolphus Towns (D-NY), are 13 members of The House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Consideration by this committee will be a critical first stop toward obtaining enactment.

“While we are encouraged by the progress being made in gaining bi-partisan support for the bill on Capitol Hill, there is too much at stake to let up — as in the future competitiveness of the independent service industry,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “In fact, we are turning up the heat in rallying the aftermarket and educating congressional leaders and their aides.”

AAIA also reports heightened communications to congressmen from the individuals in the aftermarket as a result of letter-writing processes on the Right to Repair Act Web site, www.righttorepair.org and AAIA’s online Legislative Action Center at www.aftermarket.org.

More than 16,800 letters have been sent urging support of HR 2735, an average of 35 letters per congressman. In addition, more than 168,000 people have signed petitions at service facilities and retail stores that displayed special countertop POS information in support of the legislation.

“We continue to urge our members to write, call or visit with their elected officials during this election year,” said Schmatz. “We are stepping up efforts to flood the legislative offices with letters and meetings on behalf of the independent aftermarket.”

“This legislation will require the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules requiring that the independent aftermarket have the same access to tools and service information as the new car dealerships,” said Schmatz.

For more information about the Right to Repair Act and to send a letter to Congress, visit the Legislative Action Center at: www.aftermarket.org.

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