Reps. Altmire, DeFazio, McGovern, Platts Declare Support for HR 2057
BETHESDA, Md., May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
As Congress approached the Memorial Day recess last week, four more members of Congress declared their support of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057). Reps. Jason Altmire (D-PA), Peter DeFazio, (D-OR), James P. McGovern (D-MA) and Todd Russell Platts (R-PA) became the most recent co-sponsors of the recently introduced bill.
"We thank Reps. Altmire, DeFazio, McGovern and Platts for their support of this important piece of legislation," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). "By co-sponsoring HR 2057, these four members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have made clear their belief that convenient neighborhood auto repair should remain available to car owners throughout the country as well as in their home districts."
Because vehicles are becoming increasingly sophisticated with virtually every system either monitored or controlled by computers, servicing these vehicle systems to keep them in safe working condition requires ready access to complete and accurate information from the car companies. The Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) was introduced into the 111th Congress by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA) to ensure that car owners and their trusted repair shops have the same access to safety alerts and repair information as the franchised new car dealer network.
"Right to Repair has become more important than ever as motorists seek new neighborhood repair shops because a dealership has closed in their area. In order to ensure the continued availability of convenient and affordable vehicle repairs for consumers, clearly the time to pass Right to Repair is now," Schmatz added.
About Right to Repair:
The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, which was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA), would require car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide their to their franchised dealer networks. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets unless that information is provided to the franchised new car dealers. The bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing the bill's requirements. For more information about the Right to Repair Act, visit www.righttorepair.org.