EXCLUSIVE: ‘Kill Switch’ Amendment Could Shake Up The Capitol Hill FISA Fight
Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy is moving to repeal the vehicle “kill switch” mandate as part of the FISA renewal fight, aiming to reverse Biden-era policy.
The amendment targets funding related to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and related highway safety programs, which support the implementation of Section 24220 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 under the former Biden administration. Importantly, Roy is pushing for the amendment to be attached to the GOP FISA agreement currently being worked on in the House Rules Committee.
“Roy Kill Switch Amendment” by Ashley
The Biden-era “circuit breaker” provision directs NHTSA to establish a federal safety standard for advanced drunk driving prevention technologies – passive systems designed to detect alcohol or other impairment and limit or prevent vehicle operation. (RELATED: GOP Rift Erupts After 57 Republicans Work With Democrats To Protect ‘Orwellian’ Way To Cut Cars)
Roy’s amendment would repeal what some see as significant government overreach, with the Texas lawmaker lamenting that a faction of GOP members voted against previous legislative efforts to stop funding the kill switch requirement in new cars. “In January, 57 Republicans joined 211 Democrats to preserve the Biden-Harris mandate requiring kill switches in new cars – a troubling example of government overreach. Americans don’t need Big Brother watching them behind the wheel. That’s why I filed an amendment today to remove the kill switch once and for all.”
In January, Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie introduced an amendment to ban funding for the program, specifically targeting so-called “kill switch” technology. The measure was debated but ultimately failed, with 57 Republicans joining all 211 Democrats to preserve the Biden-Harris mandate requiring kill switches in new vehicles, allowing the appropriations bill to move forward without blocking related work.
Roy sounded the alarm and supported Massie’s previous appropriations amendment to “defund” the Democratic-led circuit breaker legislation, arguing that the federal government should stay “out of” Americans’ cars.
In an article on
There is an appropriations amendment for vehicle immobilizer switches DEFUND (Democrats snuck in the legislation years ago) that requires unanimous conservative support!
The federal government should get rid of our cars and trucks, and no companies or third parties should invasively follow… pic.twitter.com/uw7cHcwAeC
– Chip Roy (@chiproytx) January 22, 2026
Roy’s proposal follows a wave of similar amendments to the FISA agreement from Republican Reps. Michael Cloud of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Barry Moore of Alabama, Eli Crane of Arizona, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, John Rose of Tennessee and Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin. (RELATED: GOP FISA deal hits first hurdle in House)
In February 2025, Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Scott Perry introduced the “No Kill Switches in Cars Act,” co-sponsored by Roy, which would directly repeal the NHTSA mandate outlined in Section 24220. The bill has since been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where it remains without floor action.
