Energy & Commerce Committee Approves Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010

Statement

Today the Committee on Energy and Commerce approved by a vote of 31 to 21 H.R. 5381, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010. The legislation will strengthen the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and improve vehicle safety.

The legislation will increase NHTSA's expertise in electronics and establishes new safety standards to protect against unintended acceleration. It provides NHTSA with needed funds, strengthens the agency's enforcement authorities, and provides for additional transparency and accountability in auto safety.

"The Motor Vehicle Safety Act will significantly improve motor vehicle safety in this country, something that is urgently needed," said Chairman Henry A. Waxman. "The legislation will provide NHTSA with the resources and the authorities that it needs to do its job. I commend Chairman Rush and Chairman Emeritus Dingell for their hard work in putting together this balanced bill."

"I am proud to support H.R. 5381, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010," said Chairman Emeritus John Dingell. "It includes mandates for new motor vehicle safety standards that will improve the safety of American motorists and address the issues highlighted by the recent recall of millions of vehicles by Toyota after complaints of sudden unintended acceleration. This bill, which grants the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the authority to issue imminent hazard recall orders, ensures the agency will be better able to protect public safety.

"I commend Chairman Henry Waxman and Chairman Bobby Rush for their fine work to achieve compromise in this bill. Their efforts, along with mine and certain of my colleagues on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, most notably Congressman Gene Green, have resulted in a good bill worthy of support by the entire House of Representatives."

"Today's vote means that consumers will benefit from the stronger consumer protections, increased resources and transparent oversight responsibility this legislation vests with NHTSA," said Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Chairman Bobby Rush. "I commend Chairman Waxman for his leadership and I will continue to work in support of this legislation when it's put to a vote on the House floor, and beyond, until it becomes law."

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