Of course, I have to start this message on July 3, 2026, with wishing you all the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that we all enjoy, as we celebrate this 250th Birthday of our great nation. We are blessed beyond measure that we are citizens of the USA, and we have a duty and obligation to defend those liberty principles that our founders fought for. Please join True Texas Project in the fight to preserve and defend those rights against those who seek to trample them, and in celebrating the birth of this amazing country. God Bless the USA!
And speaking of defending our rights – we have work to do!
Did you know that a bill was passed in the US Congress during the Biden administration that requires all vehicles manufactured after 2026 to have an automatic kill switch added to the equipment? Sounds like science fiction, but unfortunately, it’s absolutely true. It was the Infrastructure and Jobs Act of 2021, Section 24220.
Under the guise of preventing impaired driving, this technology would limit or stop a motor vehicle’s operation for anything it may detect as “impaired”. We believe that this law is unconstitutional and must be repealed, but we can’t wait for someone to challenge it in court.
The technology is probably more dangerous than actual impaired driving. Imagine you’re driving along and you sneeze multiple times (as I often do!) and the vehicle decides by monitoring your face that you are ‘impaired’. It stops the vehicle. You can guess the resulting consequences.
For more details on this bill, and the potential dangers, please see the description from our friends at Texans United for Reform and Freedom (TURF). They have been on top of this issue since the bill was passed in 2021. They tried to get it repealed in an amendment to another bill, but several Republicans voted with Democrats to defeat the amendment.
True Texas Project doesn’t often get involved with legislation at the national level, but this issue is so important, we feel it’s necessary to at least make our position known.
The U.S. House has released its version of the next highway bill called the BUILD Act (and finished its mark-up or ‘hearing’ of the bill) a few weeks ago. ButThere is no repeal of the kill switch in it. Next up will be the Senate to produce its own bill or take up the House bill. Either way, a highway bill needs to pass by September.
Ted Cruz Chairs the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee which oversees the tech in cars. For the last 5 years, Texas TURF has been asking for his help in repealing the kill switch. They’ve been put off, told his preference is to handle it in the next highway bill, then this last March, that promise turned into excuses: “There just aren’t the votes to repeal the kill switch in the Senate.”
We need to show Senator Cruz that we won’t accept more excuses and show him how much grassroots support is behind repealing the kill switch.
ACTION YOU CAN TAKE RIGHT NOW:
1) Call Senator Ted Cruz, who chairs the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee
US Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Legislative Director, Preston Howey (202) 224-5922 or by email at [email protected]
State Director, Cassy Garcia (512) 916-5834 or by email at [email protected]
Ask Senator Cruz and his staff to “Repeal the Kill Switch” in the next highway bill. Remind him that the Texas State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) passed a unanimous resolution in May of 2025 asking congress to repeal the kill switch. Since then, numerous grassroots attempts have been made to convince him to add the kill switch repeal to a highway bill, but the kill switch remains. And remember – this goes into effect for manufacturing starting in 2027. That’s only 6 months away!
2) Contact friends in other states and ask them to contact their Senators and House Representatives about this concerning issue. Even if Senator Cruz steps up and puts it in the next highway bill, we’ll need all Republican votes to pass it.
With only 6 months left to get this done, we can’t wait. Please contact Senator Cruz, and both of the staff members listed to tell them this policy is unconstitutional, dangerous, and a complete invasion of private spaces.
I’d love it if you would reply to this email to let me know you’ve made contact. It would also help to share the information on social media. Tag Senator Cruz
