Dingell Statement on Markup of The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010

Statement

Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) submitted the following statement at today's Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection markup the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010:

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for convening today's markup. I share Chairman Waxman's stated belief that The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 may be the most important vehicle safety bill in a generation. Indeed, in the wake of the Toyota recalls late last year and early this year, it has become apparent that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires new authorities, and new developments in motor vehicle technologies, especially electronic systems, must be subject to performance standards.

"This in mind, Mr. Chairman, I urge that we work to produce a bi-partisan bill that has the support of consumer groups, the United Auto Workers, and automobile manufacturers. I appreciate your willingness and that of Chairman Waxman to accommodate my concerns about the bill, which are chiefly related to its practicability for regulators and those subject to regulation. In the end, we both desire a bill that is concurrently protective of American motorists and feasible in implementation and compliance.

"I wish to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Chairman Waxman for engaging me in the process of improving this bill. I hope this collaboration will continue, particularly with regard to addressing my outstanding concerns about imminent hazard authority, civil penalties, electronic data recorders, and the disclosure of early warning data. My staff stand ready to work with you to accomplish that, as do I."

The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 would require the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe new Federal motor vehicle safety standards related to brake override and accelerator control systems, push-button ignitions, and vehicle event data recorders. The bill would also impose new requirements for the public disclosure of data, as well as establish a user fee levied on automakers to fund the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety programs.

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