This upcoming Sunday, the people of Venezuela will hold an election that, if legitimate, would put an end to years of the oppressive Maduro narco-regime. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued a statement in support of the Venezuelan people: “The...
Este próximo domingo, el pueblo venezolano tendrá una elección que, de ser legítima, pondría fin a años de opresión por parte del narco-régimen de Maduro. El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) grabó un mensaje de video en español y emitió una declaración en...
Twenty-three years ago, the United States was attacked by Islamic terrorists on September 11, 2001. Now, Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person convicted in a U.S. court for his role in the attack, has requested the U.S. Department of Justice to allow a prisoner transfer...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host virtual Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of Senator Rubio’s...
As the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opens up new facilities, many veterans are losing access to the VA’s Community Care Program and, consequently, their long-term healthcare providers. Veterans throughout the country have reported a loss of care, including...
The U.S.-India partnership is vital to countering influences from Communist China. In order to strengthen this partnership, it is essential to enhance our strategic diplomatic, economic, and military relationship with New Delhi. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)...
Washington, D.C. – With Florida ranking third in unrepaired vehicles impacted by the Takata airbag recall, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) urged the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to take a more active role in coordinating efforts with the industry to ensure automakers improve completion rates and provide adequate vehicular options to affected Floridians. Rubio’s request comes after NHTSA Acting Administrator Heidi King’s visit yesterday with community leaders and automakers in Pembroke Pines to provide a comprehensive update on the urgency of the airbag recall issue in South Florida.
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear Acting Administrator King:
I write to thank you for your recent visit to Florida to meet with community leaders to discuss the airbag recall completion rate and the urgent need to address this significant safety concern throughout the state. As you are aware, Florida ranks number three in unrepaired vehicles impacted by the Takata airbag recall, with more than 1.4 million vehicles still in need of repair. While I applaud your visit to bring further attention to the urgent need for faster completion rates, I encourage the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to take a more active role in coordinating efforts with industry to ensure automakers are not behind schedule in ensuring affected vehicles are appropriately fixed. NHTSA has called this the “largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history,” and it is critical that the agency redoubles its efforts to ensure consumers are aware and protected from the significant safety concerns presented by these airbags.
It is my understanding that NHTSA has determined the root cause of the airbag problem to be the use of ammonium nitrate-based propellant without a chemical drying agent. Environmental moisture and high temperatures, in addition to other factors, can cause improper inflation of the airbag and propel shrapnel into vehicle occupants. Additionally, a March 2018 Senate report highlighted that only six of the 17 automakers involved in the recall have acceptable loaner car policies for customers in need of repair. This report highlights the need for increased efforts by NHTSA to ensure automakers improve their completion rates and provide necessary options for consumers nationwide to safely address their vehicular needs.
When a safety issue of this magnitude is presented, it is essential that government agencies provide direction and oversight to ensure industry compliance is achieved. I applaud your visit to South Florida to meet with community leaders to address the urgency of this issue, and request the NHTSA to implement appropriate safeguards and provide increased efforts to protect Floridians and affected individuals nationwide.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,