On the recordNovember 4, 2015
By reducing appropriations for vehicle safety programs, Mr. Burgess' amendment is making it impossible for NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to actually carry out its critical vehicle safety functions. At the same time that this amendment drastically cuts funding for critical safety functions, the amendment also requires more reporting that diverts necessary resources, both people and dollars, from NHTSA's mission to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs from traffic crashes. The average age of cars on the road in the United States has hit a record high at 11\1/2\ years. That is just the average. Many cars are even older. Instead of fully acknowledging this reality, this amendment only requires manufacturers to keep limited safety records for 15 years and only requires recall repairs to be free of charge for 10 years. The recent GM ignition switch recall covered vehicles that were more than 10 years old. That means that, under this amendment, some owners of defective GM cars could have to pay to have the defect repaired. The amendment also exempts from motor vehicle safety standards replica cars. Brand-new cars would not have to meet any safety standards as long as they look like a car that was made 25 years ago. These cars could be exempt from seatbelt and airbag requirements, basic but crucial safety equipment. We have no idea how many replica cars will end up on the roads.…
