WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a legislative hearing to discuss a draft auto bill prepared by Committee Republicans. Unfortunately, even in wake of a spike in traffic fatalities and a record number of vehicle recalls, the draft fails make improvements to auto safety, and instead, weakens current environmental and consumer protections already in place.
Following the hearing, full Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Commerce Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) were joined by victims of the GM ignition switch failure and consumer advocates to call for meaningful auto safety reforms. They urged Committee Republicans to hold automakers accountable and really protect American drivers by passing H.R. 1181, the Vehicle Safety Improvement Act, introduced earlier this year.
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“These victims have heartbreaking stories. Vehicles they thought were safe shut off on the road," said Rep. Schakowsky. “GM knew about these defects for over ten years before a recall was declared. Theirs are the types of stories that should compel swift Congressional action. Unfortunately, we have all waited far too long for a legislative hearing and the Republican draft that was considered today would do very little to change the status quo."
“It is not enough to just say that the safety of automobile passengers must be a top priority in Congress," said Rep. Pallone. “We need legislation that will actually enhance safety measures. We have to make sure that automakers are following the rules and that consumers have the information that they need so that we do not lose another young life to auto defects that could have been fixed."
Footage of the press conference can be found here.
