# What This Bill Does

Congress is trying to block a new federal safety rule that would require automatic emergency braking systems in new cars and light trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created this rule, which was published in May 2024, and this bill would essentially cancel it if it passes.

Automatic emergency braking is technology that detects when a vehicle is about to crash and automatically applies the brakes to prevent or reduce the severity of the collision. The NHTSA rule would make this safety feature mandatory in all new light vehicles sold in the United States. If this bill becomes law, that requirement would go away, meaning car manufacturers wouldn't be forced to include this technology as standard equipment.

For everyday drivers, this matters because it affects what safety features you can expect in new vehicles going forward. If the bill passes, you might have to pay extra to get automatic emergency braking as an optional add-on rather than having it built into every new car. People who can't afford the upgrade would lose access to a technology that could potentially save their lives or prevent serious injuries in accidents. On the flip side, supporters of this bill argue that removing the requirement could keep vehicle prices lower and give manufacturers more flexibility in how they design cars. The practical impact depends on whether you believe mandatory safety features are worth the added cost, or whether you prefer letting the market decide what features cars should have.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration entitled "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Automatic Emergency Braking Systems for Light Vehicles".