Thomas Massie talks about the “kill switch” provision that could “disable” the vehicles

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky said Thursday that a “kill switch” provision in the 2021 infrastructure law would be “a backseat driver” for Americans.

Massie’s amendment to remove the provision was overdue by the House of Representatives on Tuesday by a 229-201 to vote. The arrangement was included as part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden signed into law in 2021.

“People said I’m a conspiracy theorist to say this is in the legislation, but I actually had to read the Democrats the bill they passed two years ago,” Massie told the Fox host News, Laura Ingraham. “They passed it in 2021 as part of a 1,039-page bill to require your car to be able to monitor your driving performance. And if it thinks you’re not driving well, it could disable your vehicle.”

I WILL SEE:

“Imagine you’re a mom with kids in the car and you swerve into a deer and you’ve stopped for an emergency vehicle to come by and you only have one detour left,” Massie continued. “Before I lock you up and take you to the side of the road. My question is, how do you appeal your conviction when you’re sitting on the side of the road in a car that won’t run, who knows where you’re stuck?”

Massie countered with a characterization of the provision by Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan.

“This is not a breathalyzer, 31 states already have ignition interlock devices where if you’ve been convicted of a DUI, you have to pass the time to start your car,” Massie said. “That’s not what it is. This bill also has the ability, it says, that automakers need to passively monitor the air in your car to see if you’ve been drinking. The problem is what if you’re the designated driver and you’re trying to drive someone home who’s had too much to drink? There are so many ways this could go wrong. It’s basically a driver and backseat babysitter.”

Massie noted that Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, one of the most liberal members of the House, voted to eliminate the provision.

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