The House of Representatives rejected an amendment that Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said would defund the “automobile kill switch.” Amendment Proposed To Defund “Looming Orwellian Automobile K*ll Switch” – Thomas Massie Says “The looming Orwellian automobile kill switch deadline threatens civil liberties. When your car shuts down because it doesn’t approve of your driving, how will you appeal your roadside conviction?” Massie previously said. “I’ve offered an amendment this week to defund this federal mandate,” he added. The looming Orwellian automobile kill switch deadline threatens civil liberties. When your car shuts down because it doesn't approve of your driving, how will you appeal your roadside conviction? I’ve offered an amendment this week to defund this federal mandate. pic.twitter.com/bhAM9CzSbW — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 21, 2026 "Unfortunately, the amendment I offered to defund the federally mandated automobile kill switch did not pass. 57 Republicans joined 211 Democrats to defeat it," Massie said after the vote. The Kentucky Republican shared the roll call. Unfortunately, the amendment I offered to defund the federally mandated automobile kill switch did not pass. 57 Republicans joined 211 Democrats to defeat it. Check the roll call to see how your Representative voted: https://t.co/wKZeoLeaMi pic.twitter.com/umoFYi1E1a — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) January 23, 2026 Here are the House Republicans who voted against defunding the automobile kill switch: Mark Amodei (NV) Don Bacon (NE) Stephanie Bice (OK) Gus Bilirakis (FL) Mike Bost (IL) Ken Calvert (CA) John Carter (TX) Tom Cole (OK) Mario Diaz-Balart (FL) Neal Dunn (FL) Chuck Edwards (NC) Jake Ellzey (TX) Randy Feenstra (IA) Randy Fine (FL) Chuck Fleischmann (TN) Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) Vince Fong (CA) Andrew Garbarino (NY) Carlos Gimenez (FL) French Hill (AR) Jeff Hurd (CO) Monica Jack (GA) John James (MI) David Joyce (OH) Tom Kean (NJ) Mike Kelly (PA) Jen Kiggans (VA) Kevin Kiley (CA) Young Kim (CA) Gregorio Sablan King-Hinds (MP) Darin LaHood (IL) Nick LaLota (NY) Mike Lawler (NY) Frank Lucas (OK) Nicole Malliotakis (NY) Celeste Maloy (UT) Brian Mast (FL) Dan Meuser (PA) Carol Miller (OH) Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA) Dan Moore (NC) Blake Moore (UT) James Moylan (GU) Greg Murphy (NC) Dan Newhouse (WA) Zach Nunn (IA) Hal Rogers (KY) Maria Salazar (FL) Mike Simpson (ID) Elise Stefanik (NY) Glenn Thompson (PA) Mike Turner (OH) David Valadao (CA) Derrick Van Orden (WI) Robert Wittman (VA) Steve Womack (AR) Ryan Zinke (MT) "Unbelievably disturbing. 57 House Republicans just joined almost all the Democrats to ensure the government can shut off your car whenever it wants," Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) said. Unbelievably disturbing. 57 House Republicans just joined almost all the Democrats to ensure the government can shut off your car whenever it wants. pic.twitter.com/iLztCUNC5h — Rep. Keith Self (@RepKeithSelf) January 22, 2026 "The idea that the federal government would require auto manufacturers to equip cars with a 'kill switch' that can be controlled by the government is something you’d expect in Orwell’s 1984, and yet," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis commented. The idea that the federal government would require auto manufacturers to equip cars with a “kill switch” that can be controlled by the government is something you’d expect in Orwell’s 1984, and yet… https://t.co/B1KtC5gNbb — Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) January 23, 2026 More from the International Business Times: In 2021, the infrastructure law ordered that by 2026, all new passenger vehicles must include 'advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology' as standard equipment. The rule is firm: once impairment registers, the vehicle responds without delay. Moreover, lawmakers made sure that detection triggers immediate intervention. Ahead of official rules, carmakers can rely on cameras, on how a person steers, or air sensors that spot alcohol. When signs appear that someone might not be able to drive safely, the system might stop the engine. Instead of waiting for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to act, some brands are already testing these checks inside vehicles. Representative Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, who backed the amendment, previously characterised the mandate as 'a massive and likely unconstitutional rule and an invasion of privacy on a greater scale than we are used to seeing from our government.' Some say this tool tackles a real danger on the roads. Records show that in 2021, more than 13,000 people died in US crashes tied to drinking, which is about 31% of total road deaths. While numbers speak loudly, others remain unsure whether it truly helps. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida stood by the rule and argued for its worth on the chamber floor, calling passive drunk driving tech a key way to protect family members and others sharing the roadways. On the other hand, some argue that this rule sets up systems that watch people too closely. It is unclear how cars can tell if someone passes out from illness instead of drunk driving. Insurers might get hold of records showing how a person drives. There are also doubts about procedures to restart a car stalled far from help.