EXCLUSIVE: ‘Kill Switch’ Amendment Could Shake Up The Capitol Hill FISA Fight

Republican Texas Rep. Chip Roy moves to repeal the vehicle “kill switch” mandate amid FISA renewal fight, aiming to reverse the Biden-era policy.

The amendment targets funding tied to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and related highway safety programs, which support the implementation of Section 24220 of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act under the former Biden administration. Importantly, Roy is pushing for the amendment to be attached to the GOP FISA deal currently being marked up in the House Rules Committee.

Roy Kill Switch Amendment by ashley

The Biden-era “kill switch” provision directs NHTSA to establish a federal safety standard for advanced impaired driving prevention technology — 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 Shut Off Cars)

Roy‘s amendment would repeal what some contend is significant government overreach, with the Texas lawmaker lamenting that a faction of GOP members voted against prior legislative efforts to stop funding the requirement of kill switches 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 monitoring them behind the wheel. That’s why I filed an amendment today to kill the kill switch once and for all.”

In January, Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie introduced an amendment to prohibit funding for the program, specifically targeting so-called “kill switch” technology. The measure was debated but ultimately failed, with 57 Republicans joining 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 backed Massie’s earlier appropriations amendment to “defund” the Democrat-led kill switch legislation, arguing the federal government should stay “the heck” out of Americans’ cars.

In a post on X, Roy wrote, “There’s an Appropriations Amendment to DEFUND Vehicle Kill Switches (Dems snuck into legislation years ago) that needs unanimous conservative support! The federal government should get the heck out of our cars and trucks, and no company or third party should invasively track our movements. KILL the Kill Switch.”

There’s an Appropriations Amendment to DEFUND Vehicle Kill Switches (Dems snuck into legislation years ago) that needs unanimous conservative support!

The federal government should get the heck out of our cars and trucks, and no company or third party should invasively track… pic.twitter.com/uw7cHcwAeC

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) January 22, 2026

Roy’s proposal follows a wave of similar amendments to the FISA deal 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 Faces First Hurdle In The House)

In February 2025, Republican Pennsylvania 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.