Lawmakers in the House sparred on Friday over a set of competing proposals to improve the federal government’s oversight of the U.S. auto industry after a series of recalls involving defective car parts.
Republicans offered a pair of bills in a House hearing on Friday that are intended to address concerns that have been raised by a series of auto recalls that have occurred recently at companies such as General Motors and auto manufacturer Takata.
Democrats countered that the GOP bills are too lax on automakers and said their proposals offer a more comprehensive overhaul of federal auto oversight.
GOP leaders said their proposals would improve auto-recall reporting and provide extra incentives for car industry whistleblowers.
“Currently, we have 50 different state systems to notify consumers of safety issues leading to unfortunate delays in getting lifesaving information out to the right people,” Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said during a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing. “I am also troubled that the challenge of notifying consumers could get worse as the development of new technology platforms enable owners to sell vehicles in nontraditional ways.”
The first GOP measure, known as the Improving Recall Tracking Act, would require the establishment of a national database of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and auto registration information to make it easier for drivers to be notified about recalls.
The second Republican bill, known as the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act, would provide financial incentives for whistleblowers who report safety defects with cars that are hidden from regulators by auto manufacturers.
Democrats on the panel were more skeptical of auto companies, raising recent allegations that German automaker Volkswagen has cheated on federal emission standards by installing equipment on diesel-powered cars to trick regulators into thinking their vehicles were more fuel efficient than they actually are.
Auto industry groups told the panel that part of the problem with notifying drivers about recalls is convincing them to pay attention to warnings that are issued.
Read more of the original article in The Hill.
