House Freedom Caucus Opposes Biden-Era Car Control Measures

Conservative members of the House Freedom Caucus expressed satisfaction with the recent passage of an amendment to a spending bill aimed at eliminating the controversial “kill switches” associated with the Biden administration.

“Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t go towards a surveillance system that views every law-abiding American driver as a suspect,” said Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) in a statement. He emphasized the importance of addressing real issues without compromising constitutional freedoms or creating a scenario where drivers are reduced to mere data points.

In 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which, under the Biden administration, included measures targeting drunk driving. This legislation mandated that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) create regulations for automakers to implement drunk-driving prevention technology within five years. Specifically, it called for vehicles to be equipped with systems to monitor driver behavior and detect alcohol levels exceeding the legal limit of 0.08, preventing operation if impairment is identified.

The law has sparked significant debate due to its requirement for all vehicles to possess government-controlled “kill switches.” Some existing car technologies already monitor driver attention, and there’s a possibility that NHTSA could expand these mandates.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) claims this technology has the potential to save over 10,000 lives annually.

On Wednesday, Cloud, along with Representatives Celeste Malloy (R-UT) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), introduced an amendment intended to defund the kill switch initiative. This amendment was adopted by a vote of 33 to 26.

Andy Harris (R-Md.), the Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus and a member of the Appropriations Committee, stated, “A federal government that controls cars in the name of safety seems dystopian. Americans desire freedom, not Big Brother as a co-pilot.” He urged Congress to halt the implementation of the kill switch until citizens’ rights are protected, suggesting the repeal of Biden’s mandate as a necessary step.

Stacey D. Stewart, CEO of MADD, reacted to the amendment’s passage, saying, “This vote essentially defunds a law meant to prevent drunk driving and save lives. It signals a troubling message to victims and survivors who expected real action on a crime that claims 32 lives daily.”

Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) declared, “The government should never control Americans’ cars. Kill switch technology is a dystopian nightmare and we will vehemently oppose it.” He expressed pleasure in the amendment’s passage and reaffirmed his commitment to preventing the implementation of such mandates.