Reps. Berman, Clarke Co-Sponsor HR 2057
BETHESDA, MD – May 13, 2009 – The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) gained two more co-sponsors this week. Reps. Howard Berman (D-CA) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) have joined growing list of co-sponsors.
“Following last week’s gain of five co-sponsors, we are very pleased and encouraged to have Reps. Berman and Clarke declare their support of the Right to Repair Act,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). “The growing momentum of support for this important legislation demonstrates the commitment by many members of Congress to ensure that, despite the shrinking number of dealerships around the country, their constituents can continue to obtain affordable and convenient repairs for their vehicles.”
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, tools and software from the car companies. Reps. Towns (D-NY), Eshoo (D-CA) and Miller (D-CA) introduced the Right to Repair Act into the 111th Congress to ensure that car owners, and not the car companies and their dealers, are in the driver’s seat when it comes to where and by whom repairs to their vehicle are performed.
A complete list of co-sponsors and a copy of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) can be found by visiting www.righttorepair.org.
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.
