Chamber Hails Important Auto Safety Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce today said bipartisan auto safety legislation – passed by the House and Senate – will protect consumers without inhibiting companies from sharing production safety information with federal regulators.

"Under this bill, manufacturers are encouraged to immediately report any problems with their products and product standards are upgraded," said Bruce Josten, Chamber Executive Vice President. "However, the ill-conceived attempt to criminalize product liability has been blocked."

The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act improves the safety of child restraints, strengthens the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's regulatory authority without undermining safety investigations or placing innocent people at risk of imprisonment, and clarifies criminal sanctions for knowingly submitting false reports to the government.

The Chamber cited congressional leaders including House Commerce Committee Chairman Tom Bliley, Representatives Billy Tauzin and Fred Upton, and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain for addressing the possible regulatory problems highlighted by the recent series of tragic automobile accidents related to tire tread separation.

"The original versions of this bill – which might have increased rather than decreased safety problems – have been significantly improved by the bipartisan work that was done in the House and Senate," said Josten. "The TREAD Act will protect consumer safety and the Chamber strongly encourages the President to sign this bill when it reaches his desk."

The United States Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

# # #

00-151