Today, the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a legislative hearing to discuss potential measures aimed at improving motor vehicle safety, maintaining consumer choice and affordability, and supporting U.S. leadership in the automotive sector. The session was led by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), who serves as Chairman of the subcommittee.
Chairman Bilirakis emphasized the historical significance of the American automotive industry in job creation and ongoing advancements in vehicle comfort, safety, and quality. He stated: “The American automotive industry has long been a driving force behind job creation and continuous improvements in the comfort, safety, and quality of the vehicles on our roads. While technologies and times have evolved, our commitment to innovation, safety, and consumer choice remains unchanged. Today’s hearing underscored the importance of updating policies to reflect modern advancements, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to advance these bills, strengthen motor vehicle safety, and ensure American automotive leadership remains at the forefront of the global marketplace.”
During the hearing, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05) asked about federal preemption provisions related to autonomous vehicles (AVs). Mr. Fulton responded: “You and Congresswoman Dingell were right a decade ago. [...] There's a grand agreement among Republicans, Democrats, state and local regulators, and the Congress and the Executive Branch itself across multiple administrations that this is the consensus, industry-driven way to do it that is fully understandable and can be executed upon. [...] I certainly hope that Congress once again agrees with you and passes this bill with the safety case provisions.”
Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08) highlighted legislation known as the PART Act designed to address catalytic converter theft nationwide. Drawing from his experience as a police officer in Colorado—a state frequently ranking highest for auto theft—Evans said: “We also have today the PART Act to address the scourge of catalytic converter theft across the country. I was a cop. [...] It's a particular problem that Colorado has grappled with being the number one state in the nation for auto theft multiple times over the last five years. [...] Quite often [that’s] the result of some of these statewide Democrat soft-on-crime policies. Our attorney general, Phil Weiser, [...] remarked people should only be kept in jail after 'someone commits a third or fourth car theft in three months.’ [...] So, I'm heartened by the PART Act actually taking this problem seriously, because I've seen the impact that this has on my constituents.”
Congressman Craig Goldman (TX-12) questioned how legislative reforms could help improve efficiency at NHTSA given its limited resources—especially concerning high traffic fatalities in mixed urban-rural districts. Ms. Cain replied: “We really do think a number of the reforms that are laid out in the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act are precisely the sorts of reforms that are needed in order to make the agency more effective. [...] We think the research and rulemaking plan that's outlined in the proposal is fantastic and a way to ensure alignment between NHTSA’s research program and rulemaking program. The modernization of [the New Car Assessment Program] will be a critical component of getting new and innovative safety technologies on the road as well.”
The hearing provided an opportunity for lawmakers to consider updates aimed at keeping pace with technological changes while addressing issues such as vehicle theft prevention strategies.
