The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) reported that U.S. Senate appropriators on Aug. 1 released and passed the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies funding bill. The bill would provide $80 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Education, representing a little more than a […]
Federal Legislation Introduced to Require Dealers to Repair Recalls on Used Vehicles Before Sale
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced legislation today to ensure the safety and reliability of used cars. The legislation, the Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act, requires car dealers to repair any outstanding safety recalls in used cars prior to selling, leasing, or loaning them to consumers. […]
ASA Supports Federal Youth Apprenticeship Advancement Act
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP), Subcommittee on Employment & Workplace Safety held a hearing to examine the value that youth apprenticeship programs provide to employers and the general public. The hearing also looked at the problems that inhibit the positive impact of these […]
ASA Endorses Bipartisan Tax Framework Beneficial to Independent Automotive Repair Businesses
Proposed changes to federal tax code would allow businesses to expense more business costs for tax deduction, provide relief to businesses impacted by certain disasters, and expand the Child Tax Credit. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) supports the bipartisan and bicameral tax framework announced by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. […]
Massachusetts Senator Markey Writes Vehicle Manufacturers About Data Practices, Calls for Consumer Privacy Protections
Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, sent letters to 14 car manufacturers December 1 urging them to implement and enforce stronger privacy protections in their vehicles. Vehicles have effectively become computers on wheels, collecting vast amounts of data on drivers, passengers, and people outside the vehicles, […]
Legislation Introduced to Eliminate Federal Insurance Office’s Subpoena Authority
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, on November 28 led 16 of her Senate colleagues in introducing the Insurance Data Protection Act. The bill would eliminate the FIO Director’s subpoena authority. According to Britt, the legislation would correct the Federal Insurance Office’s (FIO) recent […]
U.S. Senators Call for FTC Investigation Into Tesla’s Driving Automation Systems Advertising
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, voiced serious concerns about Tesla’s misleading advertising and marketing of its Autopilot and Full-Self Driving (FSD) features to consumers, and called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to launch an investigation and take enforcement action. The […]
U.S. Senators Introduce Road to Zero Resolution Calling for an End to Traffic Deaths
With traffic deaths on the rise, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) led their Congressional colleagues in introducing the Road to Zero resolution today in support of progress to eliminate traffic deaths. The resolution expresses a commitment to advancing policies to end roadway fatalities by 2050 and supports efforts to […]
Senator Proposes Changes to Small Business Pass-Through Tax Deduction
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released a bill, the Small Business Tax Fairness Act, that would make changes to the 20 percent deduction that is available under Section 199A for partnerships, LLCs, and other entities taxed only at the individual owner level that was created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act […]
U.S. Senate Passes $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Package
U.S. House of Representatives expected to consider proposal Friday that provides support for individuals and small businesses. The U.S. Senate has passed the third Coronavirus stimulus package, H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES Act). According to the Automotive Service Association (ASA), after extensive negotiations with the Administration, the package includes […]