Why It Matters
Volkswagen Group of America Inc. is lobbying on H.R. 8730, the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, which would prohibit importing, manufacturing, or selling certain connected vehicles, software, and hardware components linked to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea. The filing also covers H.R. 1566, the REPAIR Act, which would require manufacturers to provide vehicle owners and their designated repair facilities access to vehicle data and repair information. A House subcommittee forwarded the bill to the full committee by voice vote on Feb. 10.
Both bills remain under consideration in Congress, putting Volkswagen on record as lawmakers weigh rules that would directly govern how connected vehicles are sold and serviced in the United States.
By the Numbers
Volkswagen's in-house third-quarter filing reports $420,000 in lobbying expenditures, up $360,000 from the $60,000 reported for the second quarter.
Across all four registrants, the third-quarter client total was $525,000, up $360,000 from the second-quarter combined total of $165,000 and up $90,000 from the third-quarter 2025 combined total of $435,000. The other third-quarter filings are:
- TSG Advocates DC LLC: $75,000
- Bridge Public Affairs LLC: $30,000
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP: $0
The in-house filing names Jennica Sims, head of federal affairs, and Donald Davidson, director of industry and government relations. The firm added Sims to the in-house filing this quarter. Davidson previously served on the congressional staffs of former Reps. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Sam Johnson (R-TX).
Broader Context
Connected Vehicle Security Act
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) introduced H.R. 8730 on May 11, and it was referred to the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs committees. As of Oct. 8, the supplied legislative record shows it remains at the introduced stage, with 133 cosponsors. The Commerce Department published a proposed connected-vehicle rule on Sept. 26, 2024, seeking to restrict certain connected-vehicle software and hardware linked to China or Russia.
REPAIR Act
H.R. 1566 was introduced Feb. 25, 2025, by Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and advanced from a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee by voice vote on Feb. 10, with 44 cosponsors in the supplied legislative record. The Senate companion, S. 1379, introduced by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), was referred to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on April 9, 2025, with eight cosponsors.
The Auto Care Association, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, CAR Coalition, and Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network publicly backed the bill, citing research showing that more than 60% of independent repair facilities experienced difficulties with routine repairs due to original equipment manufacturer barriers. The Automotive Service Association, Society of Collision Repair Specialists, and Alliance for Automotive Innovation proposed the SAFE Repair Act as an alternative, arguing that the REPAIR Act failed to prioritize vehicle safety.
Competitive Landscape
Other organizations associated with H.R. 8730 include North American Subaru Inc., the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, Securing America's Future Energy Alliance Inc., and Toyota Motor North America Inc. Other organizations lobbying on H.R. 1566 include General Motors Co., Toyota Motor North America Inc., the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Tesla Inc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among 40 total filers associated with the bill.
The Bottom Line
H.R. 1566 remains in committee after a subcommittee forwarded it to the full committee by voice vote. H.R. 8730 remains pending before three House committees, with no further action identified in the supplied legislative record. Jennica Sims was added to Volkswagen Group of America's in-house lobbying roster this quarter, after Anna Schneider dropped off the roster in the second quarter.
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