Right to repair can pass. That’s Congressman Neal Dunn’s assessment.
The Florida lawmaker is a longtime co-sponsor of the ‘Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair’ Act, also known as the REPAIR Act, and believes it is a “moral” issue for consumers to have freedom of choice when repairing their equipment.
Speaking Tuesday at the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) Summit in Washington D.C., Dunn says support for the REPAIR Act is strong in the House of Representatives and its Energy and Commerce Committees, where it was referred after Dunn re-introduced it earlier this year.
The REPAIR Act has passed out of the committee before, only to stall at its next step, held up by OEM and dealer opposition or inaction from congressional leaders.
That’s where Dunn says CVSN attendees and the trucking industry at large must step up. He says the REPAIR Act has great support in national polling, but polling alone doesn’t guarantee new laws. He says aftermarket distributors, suppliers and end users must voice their support for the REPAIR Act to their legislators. Make it clear that the Right to Repair truly is a right, and something all service providers and customers must have.
[RELATED: Point. Counterpoint. Where trucking stands on the REPAIR Act]
“OEMs and dealerships act like they deserve a monopoly,” Dunn says. “It’s amazing to me that [OEMs] think that we are beholden to OEMs for parts, service and all these things.”
Dunn says he and his fellow bill supporters on both sides of the aisle are working to earn support for the REPAIR Act across Capitol Hill.
“I think we’ll be fine in the House. We need some help in the Senate,” he says.
CVSN is doing its part to help the aftermarket get its message to Congress. The organization’s leadership advocated for the REPAIR Act in Washington this summer and has sent messages to committee leadership in both chambers. CVSN also has a fact sheet available to members and the entire trucking space that can be leveraged when communicating with legislators.
Dunn says that’s what it’s going to take to push the REPAIR Act over the finish line.
“I’m going to need your help. And I’m serious about that,” he says.
