As concerns grow about the massive automobile recall linked to defective Takata airbags, the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, chaired by Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX), will hold a hearing on June 2 to discuss the issue.
The hearing is part of the subcommittee’s ongoing effort to improve officials’ understanding of the problems that led to the recall of almost 34 million automobiles, which are linked to faulty airbags. The subcommittee will also review the response to the crisis by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“We have endured a year of Takata ruptures and recalls, and families are still at risk,” Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), chairman of the full committee, said. “No excuses. Michiganders, and all Americans, have a right to answers. When it comes to auto safety, ‘maybe’ is not an acceptable answer, and ‘later’ is not an acceptable timetable. It’s past time for Takata, NHTSA and the manufacturers to explain to drivers what went wrong, and how and when they can fix it.”
The hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
“When an airbag – a device built to enhance motorist safety – is actually putting families in peril, we can’t wait years for a fix,” Upton continued. “Summer driving and family vacations are underway, and saying there might be an answer down the road is wrong. We will pressure everyone to move faster and restore safety as soon as possible.”