U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns Again Answers the Call of Motoring Consumers & Reintroduces 'Right to Repair Act,' HR 2694, States CARE

    ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "New York
 Congressman Edolphus Towns (D) has again answered the call for help from
 the nation's motoring consumers and small business by re-introducing the
 badly needed 'Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, HR 2694' on June
 12, 2007," stated David Parde, president, The Coalition for Auto Repair
 Equality (CARE).
     Known as The Right to Repair Act, it had its first-ever vote in May
 2006, in the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, where
 it passed in a 14 to 13 vote. "Motoring consumers and small business can
 and should expect Congress to pass this pro-consumer, pro-safety,
 pro-environment, pro-competition bill," continued Parde.
     Vehicles that are 1994 and newer (and some earlier models) are equipped
 with computers that control the repair information on systems such as: air
 bags, brakes, tire pressure, oil changes, steering mechanisms, climate
 control, check engine and dome lights, batteries, fuel injection,
 transmissions, and most electronics. The only "sure" way for motorists to
 have these systems and their "entire" vehicle repaired is to return to the
 car dealerships.
     This "return to the car dealership" virtual monopoly has created a
 safety hazard for motorists who need immediate repairs but may not be near
 a car dealership, hurts all motoring consumers, especially low and fixed
 income, hurts the environment and shuts down competition which is necessary
 for a fully functioning free-market system.
     Rep. Towns stated, "American consumers have every right to choose their
 mechanics and determine who will repair their vehicles and where those
 repairs will be done. It is my goal to ensure there is a mechanism in place
 that will allow everyone this opportunity."
     Several states have stepped up to the plate and introduced their own
 versions of The Right to Repair Act. Although some states with the bills
 have already adjourned for the year, the active, still-in-session states
 remain committed to passing The Right to Repair Acts. They are: New York,
 where Rep. Edolphus Towns's son, Darrell, has reintroduced The Right to
 Repair Act into the state Assembly for the second time; New Jersey has two
 bills, sponsored by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora and Sens. Bernard Kenny and
 Joseph Kyrillos; Maine, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Damon; and Massachusetts,
 sponsored by Rep. Vincent Pedone, Martin Walsh and Sen. Mark Montigny.
     "Motoring consumers are clamoring for affordable choices for their car
 repairs. After all, who owns their cars -- they or the car companies? We
 say, they do, and as such, they have the right to choose which repairs suit
 their needs and wallets. Consumers and small business applaud Rep. Edolphus
 Towns and the state legislators for stepping up to the plate," concluded
 Parde.
 
 

SOURCE Coalition for Auto Repair Equality