Attaching Senate Self-Drive Bill to Must-Pass Measure Remains an Option

Attaching autonomous vehicle legislation to a must-pass spending bill remains an option, a Senate Commerce Committee aide said Thursday. Sponsors of the AV Start Act (S-1885) (see 1811280069 and 1805180066) Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., previously said they want to attach the legislation to a spending vehicle, despite concerns from Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Conn.; Ed Markey, Mass.; and Dianne Feinstein, Calif. The bill would foster innovation and create a path for safety standards, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said Wednesday. Attaching the bill to a spending bill would circumvent the hold by Feinstein and others, Consumer Watchdog said Thursday, writing House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. : “We ask you to stop this reckless and craven power grab by the auto makers in its tracks.”