A new policy fight is building in Washington. Republican lawmakers want to rethink the rules that decide which safety features automakers must include in new vehicles. Their main target is automatic emergency braking. They also plan to review other required alerts that many new cars already carry.
This push comes during a period of sharp price increases. Many leaders now argue that rising costs justify a closer look at what federal rules add to the final price of a car.
Lawmakers Revisit Key Safety Mandates
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will examine safety systems that are already common in new cars. These include automatic emergency braking and back-seat child reminder alerts. Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas scheduled the hearing for January 14.
The committee stated that the session will look at how “radical global warming regulations and mandated technologies have driven up the cost of vehicles for American consumers.”
Why This Discussion Matters
Changes to federal safety rules could shape what drivers see in future vehicles. The outcome may influence both car prices and the features that come standard. Supporters of deregulation say updated rules could help customers by lowering costs.
Safety advocates argue that required protections keep the public safe and give every driver access to the same technology.
What the Hearing Will Address
Committee documents show a notable rise in vehicle prices. The average cost of a new car now sits above $50,000. In 2010, that number was $24,296. Lawmakers say this increase deserves attention.
Topics expected at the hearing include:
1. Automatic emergency braking systems
2. Back-seat child alerts
3. Environmental and emissions rules that critics say raise production costs
Automotive leaders will offer testimony, including:
Lars Moravy, Vice President at Tesla
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors
Antonio Filosa, CEO of Stellantis
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company
Their input will help explain how these mandates affect manufacturing plans, pricing, and consumer choice.
What Key Voices Are Saying
Senator Ted Cruz released this statement:
“Americans have been clear that they are hyper-focused on affordability—and so is this committee. The average price of a car has more than doubled in the past decade, driven up by onerous government-mandated technologies and radical environmental regulations. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act took steps to drive costs down with the repeal of the EV mandate and CAFE standards, but we must do more. This hearing will examine how government interference continues to make vehicles expensive and out of reach for American customers and how we can restore competition and choice.”
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety offered a different view. A spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal: “Regulation is the best way to make sure everybody’s got this technology that’s highly effective.”
These comments show a clear divide between cost-focused lawmakers and organizations that want consistent safety protections.
What Comes Next
The hearing on January 14, 2026, will likely shape future policy decisions. Lawmakers may consider adjusting, delaying, or removing rules such as the automatic emergency braking mandate. Any change could affect national safety standards and the price of new vehicles across the country.
The coming Senate hearing places automatic emergency braking and other mandated safety features under close review. Lawmakers, industry leaders, and safety groups will weigh in on how these rules influence both cost and protection. The discussion may lead to new policies that set the direction for how cars are built and priced in the years ahead.