MEMA Updates Industry on REPAIR Act Advocacy 

MEMA’s long-standing advocacy for federal Right to Repair legislation took center stage during Ana Meuwissen’s remarks at AAPEX, where the senior vice president for government affairs provided a detailed update on the REPAIR Act and the association’s strategy heading into the next legislative cycle. 

Meuwissen reminded attendees that each new Congress requires reintroduction of the legislation. The current House bill, H.R. 1566, was introduced in February and has since gained 37 co-sponsors, including 14 first-time supporters. For the first time, the Senate introduced a companion bill, S.1379, led by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). “Both bills are bipartisan efforts,” she said, adding that MEMA ensured parts manufacturers were “fully represented in the text of both bills.” 

Rising Cost Pressures Strengthen the Case 

Meuwissen said concerns about inflation and household costs continue to shape congressional discussions. “Members of Congress are focused on everyday cost pressures on Americans,” she said, noting that transportation and repair affordability are increasingly visible issues. 

She previewed findings from a MEMA-commissioned recently released study. According to the research, more than 155 million vehicle owners could face nearly $34 billion in additional repair and maintenance costs annually without legislative action. That translates to $185–$225 per vehicle per year. “These costs are being driven by reduced access to affordable parts and service,” Meuwissen said. 

The study also documents real-world limitations independent repair shops are already facing when diagnosing newer vehicles—particularly systems involving integrated electronics and safety-critical components. “Unlike the statement often made by opposition, there is a problem,” she said. 

Addressing Misconceptions 

Meuwissen said education remains one of the biggest hurdles in congressional conversations—not opposition. “I don’t think we get opposition. We get more questions,” she said. Lawmakers often ask what data the aftermarket needs, how it’s used, and whether cybersecurity or intellectual property risks are involved. “Every meeting has to include education to explain why this matters,” she said. 

Updated bill language resolves earlier cybersecurity concerns, and Meuwissen emphasized that suppliers are not seeking proprietary automaker IP—only the information needed to safely service today’s vehicles. 

Growing Coalition Support 

The coalition behind the REPAIR Act continues to expand, reflecting a wide range of stakeholders. New members include the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association and the Preventive Automotive Maintenance Association. “It’s very important that we’re bringing forth the voices of the multiple stakeholders affected,” she said. 

Automakers have increased their counter-campaigning, including flatbed trucks driving through Washington displaying “Stop the Repair Act” messages. Meuwissen described this as expected: “We’ve proven our case with the data and documentation we’ve provided.” 

Grassroots Engagement Strengthens the Message 

Local advocacy has become a powerful tool. Suppliers have hosted lawmakers at their facilities and published op-eds in their local newspapers. “We’ve had members of Congress refer directly to those op-eds,” Meuwissen said, noting that rural districts—where dealership access is limited—have been especially receptive. 

Meuwissen closed by thanking suppliers for their involvement. “Our wonderful members serve as our partners,” she said. “Their engagement at the local level has been incredibly important.”