Since 1982, CARS founder Rosemary Shahan has been repeatedly invited to testify before Congress, on behalf of the car-buying public, by members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle. The first invitation was issued by U.S. Senator John Danforth (R-MO), who sought her testimony in support of requiring auto manufacturers to install air bags.
Unsafe, recalled rental cars
S 921 The Rachel and Jacqueline Houck Rental Car Safety Act of 2013
Introduced by Senator Schumer and Co-sponsored by Senators Schumer, Blumenthal, Boxer, Casey, Feinstein, Gillibrand, McCaskill, Murkowski, and Schatz
U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance
May 21, 2013
Testimony of Rosemary Shahan, in support of enactment: PDF
Video of the hearing, and testimony of other witnesses: US Senate website
S 921 The Rachel and Jacqueline Houck Rental Car Safety Act of 2013
Introduced by Senator Schumer and Co-sponsored by Senators Schumer, Blumenthal, Boxer, Casey, Feinstein, Gillibrand, McCaskill, Murkowski, and Schatz
U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance
May 21, 2013
Testimony of Rosemary Shahan, in support of enactment: PDF
Video of the hearing, and testimony of other witnesses: US Senate website
U.S. Senator John D. Rockefeller, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, invited CARS Founder Rosemary Shahan to testify regarding the public policy implications of S 921. This Act, named in honor of the memories of Raechel and Jacqueline Houck, would prohibit rental car companies from renting or selling vehicles under a federal safety recall, once they have received notice from the manufacturer about the safety recall, unless the necessary repairs have been performed.
Stop Forced Pre-Dispute Car Dealer Arbitration
In 2008, U.S. Representative Linda Sanchez, Chair of the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, invited Rosemary to testify in support of a bill authored by Rep. Chavez that would prohibit auto dealers from forcing customers to agree to submit disputes to binding mandatory arbitration, as a condition of purchasing a vehicle.
In a breathtaking display of hypocrisy, dealers have opposed granting consumers the same rights they enjoy. Auto dealers received a special exemption from Congress from the Federal Arbitration Act, freeing them from mandatory arbitration in their disputes with auto manufacturers. When dealers sought the exemption, some members of Congress were reluctant to side with them -- until the dealers promised, in writing, not to oppose restoring the same constitutional rights to consumers.
National Automobile Dealers Association's letter to Congress
But -- surprise! They lied. Breaking their promise to Congress, they have been very actively opposing consumers' getting the same rights, and they killed Sanchez' bill. As a result, car buyers continue to be deprived of their constitutional rights, and are getting trapped by auto dealers in no-win situations.
Rosemary's testimony in Support of The Automobile Arbitration Fairness Act (H.R. 5312)
Video that shows what happens to vehicle owners suffering from auto dealer forced arbitration abuse
Flood Cars and Salvage Fraud
In 2005, in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, U.S. Senator George Allen (R-VA), Chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Product Safety and Insurance, invited her to testify about the hazards of flood cars and auto salvage fraud. She testified on a panel with representatives from the National Association of Attorneys General and American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and auto interests, in order to provide the public interest perspective.
Rosemary's testimony about the hazards of flood cars and salvage fraud
