WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 5, 2025 – The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation voted 16-12 last Wednesday to advance President Trump’s nominee, Jonathan Morrison, to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA issues regulations and enforces federal laws on light-duty vehicle safety. The full Senate is expected to vote to confirm Morrison as NHTSA Administrator later in the year.

During his confirmation hearing, Morrison argued in favor of NHTSA instituting national comprehensive safety regulations for autonomous vehicles (AV). He stated in his opening remarks that, “The realization of the mobility and safety benefits from AVs depends entirely upon consumer trust, and that trust must be rooted in safety.” He also emphasized that he intends to proactively communicate with AV manufacturers to improve their understanding of NHTSA’s expectations with regards to the AV design approval process, which many manufacturers complain is too slow and bureaucratic.

Senators who sit on the committee asked Morrison questions and voiced concerns regarding vehicle safety. Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) asked him how he would encourage OEMs to make safe vehicles without regulations that raise costs for consumers. Morrison reiterated that he wants to work with OEMs to help them understand NHTSA’s expectations for regulations currently in place. Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) discussed how weak federal enforcement has led to negative vehicle safety trends. As an example, she pointed to NHTSA opening 25 percent fewer safety investigations this year.

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH), who owns new vehicle dealerships, and Morrison agreed that the age of the country’s vehicle fleet is too old. When Moreno asked him about this issue, Morrison responded that the average light-duty vehicle age in the U.S. is thirteen years. He also referred to a recent study which found that vehicles 12-15 model years old involved in a collision are 19 percent more likely to result in a fatality compared to collisions involving vehicles six model years old or newer. Moreno argued that regulations have caused new vehicle prices to skyrocket. Therefore, NHTSA should eliminate overly burdensome regulations. He applauded recent actions taken by Congress and President Trump to roll back California’s vehicle emissions regulations.

Senator Scott Peters (D-MI) expressed concerns similar to those of Senator Cantwell with regards to NHTSA’s operating capacity. He noted reports that, “as much as over half of the Office of Automation Safety, which I pushed to fund, has been terminated in staffing cuts…At NHTSA, this office will be responsible for carrying out rulemaking efforts related to autonomous vehicles and other safety technologies, which experts tell us will take a high level of technicality and expertise, not to mention manpower.” Peters asked Morrison to commit to fully staffing the office. He replied that Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy has promised to fill the staffing gaps where they exist. Morrison committed to “looking to higher ups to make sure we can achieve those goals.”

At this same hearing, the committee also questioned Derek Barrs, who President Trump nominated to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which largely oversees safety in the trucking industry. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) asked him about his plan to prevent collisions involving freight trucks. Barrs said he would prioritize safety inspections for trucks to prevent and catch truck condition violations. “Doing regular and routine inspection is critical,” he noted.

ASA congratulates Morrison and Barrs on their nominations and looks forward to working with them to advance vehicle safety once they are confirmed.

ASA is the largest and oldest national organization committed to protecting the automotive repair industry with ONE VOICE. We are the only trade association whose board is comprised solely by collision and mechanical automotive repairers. Our members own and operate repair facilities responsible for the majority of all, post warranty, repair services in the United States. ASA advocates for the interests of its members and their customers in Washington, D.C. The education, resources, and services ASA provides empowers its members in all 50 states to remain trusted stewards of mobility in their communities. www.ASAShop.org