[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1789-E1790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS' RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 3, 2001

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on August 2, 2001, I introduced HR 2735, 
``The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2001'' to ensure 
that all motoring consumers have the freedom of choice of where, how 
and by whom to have their vehicles repaired, maintained and to choose 
the parts of their choice. I introduced HR 2735 to offer protection to 
consumers who will suffer from high, non-competitive prices.
  But since the introduction of HR 2735, my state of New York and the 
United States have been changed forever by the devastating attack of 
September 11th on American lives, our way of life, and our economic 
foundations. It is now more important than ever for the passage of HR 
2735, which will bring economic relief to consumers and small business.

[[Page E1790]]

  Since September 11th, many citizens have chosen to drive their 
vehicles to work, to recreation and to vacation sites, rather than take 
other means of public transportation. This means that consumers will be 
spending an ever-increasing amount of time in their vehicles. And, that 
means that these vehicles will need more repairs and parts replaced.
  Another consequence of September 11th is the attack on America's 
economic foundation. Many businesses will close their doors due to the 
inability to continue to provide consumer services. Now, more than 
ever, we in Congress must work to bolster business, not hinder it with 
the economic chains of monopolies. Passage of HR 2735 will keep the 
doors open for many in the automotive aftermarket, allowing the domino 
effect of recovery to continue.
  HR 2735 will open the door to motoring consumers who are away from 
home, whether for business or pleasure, to have unforeseen repairs and 
parts replaced at the shop of their choice and with the parts of their 
choice. HR 2735 will allow motoring consumers to dispense with fears of 
being caught in strange localities or being forced back to dealerships. 
Consumers will be able to make competitive choices.
  For several years, Congress mandated that vehicles come manufactured 
with a computer system to monitor vehicle emissions. As vehicles have 
advanced, so have the computer systems installed which now control 
vital systems such as brakes, ignition, ignition keys, air bags, 
steering mechanisms and climate control. What began as a clean air 
measure became an unintended ``vehicle in itself'' to a repair and 
parts information monopoly by car manufacturers.
  The end result is that motorists have become chained to the car 
manufacturers and their car dealers in order to have their vehicles 
repaired and parts replaced. Instead of exercising America's free-
market ability to choose the automotive technician, shop and parts of 
their choice--or even work on the vehicles themselves, this lock-out of 
information has forced motorists to return to car dealers and forced 
them in many instances into paying higher, noncompetitive costs. Simple 
tasks such as having an ignition key duplicated can cost $45 or more.
  Passage of HR 2735 is essential to the economic structure of the 
vehicle independent repair industry, as well as the limited budgets of 
many consumers and their safety.
  Passage of HR 2735 will allow motorists who do not live near car 
dealerships to have their vehicles quickly and efficiently repaired, 
without being forced into driving a great distance in a problematic car 
to a dealership, jeopardizing their safety and that of others. It will 
allow motorists to work on their vehicles and will allow motorists to 
save money.
  Passage of HR 2735 will empower motorists and will not restrict their 
choices of repair shops, including the desire of those who wish to go 
to car dealerships. It will allow motorists to actually own the repair 
and parts information to their own vehicles and to be the ultimate 
decisionmakers--instead of the car manufacturers--of their own 
vehicles.
  Now more than ever is the time for Congress to keep consumers and 
small business sound, not pigeon-holed into unnecessary and expensive 
monopolies. Freedom to choose and to compete is the American Way.

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