WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 13, 2026) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, submitted testimony for the record to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade ahead of its hearing entitled “Examining Legislative Options to Strengthen Motor Vehicle Safety, Ensure Consumer Choice and Affordability, and Cement U.S. Automotive Leadership.” The testimony urges Congress to ensure small businesses and consumers have options to safely, conveniently, and affordably repair vehicles in their communities by advancing the bipartisan Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act.

“Each second spent driving to a dealership or waiting for a repair is time not spent growing a business,” said Louis Bertolotti, NFIB Principal of Federal Government Relations. “For a small business operating on tight margins, this time is money pulled from their livelihood. As technological advances have increased in vehicles, some auto manufacturers have found ways to restrict access to data critical to conducting even the simplest of repairs. As a result, small businesses are forced to rely on vehicle repair options that can have longer wait times, higher costs, and require further travel. In today’s fast-paced economy, small businesses simply cannot afford to waste these resources.

“NFIB is encouraged by the inclusion of the REPAIR Act in the subcommittee’s conversation this week. We are excited to see its broad, bipartisan support, and look forward to working with the Committee this Congress to advance the bill.”

Read NFIB’s full testimony here.

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For over 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.