House Committee Approves Amendment to Eliminate Biden-Era Vehicle 'Kill Switch' Mandate for All New Cars by 2026

On June 5, 2026, a House committee approved an amendment eliminating a Biden-era mandate that would have required all new vehicles sold in the US from 2026 onward to include a remote immobilization capability — colloquially called a 'kill switch' — that would allow law enforcement or vehicle manufacturers to remotely shut down a car. The provision had been embedded in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), who led the amendment effort, argued the technology treats 'law abiding American drivers as suspects' and represents government overreach into personal transportation freedom. Supporters of the original mandate argued it was a safety tool to prevent impaired driving and assist in vehicle theft recovery. The amendment still needs to pass the full House and Senate before becoming law; its prospects in the Senate are uncertain given the divided Republican caucus on regulatory issues. The vote aligns with Trump's broader deregulatory agenda, which has targeted Biden-era technology mandates across multiple sectors.