Right to Repair Legislation Becomes Key Affordability Issue for U.S. Political Candidates

The right to repair movement is gaining significant political momentum across the United States, with candidates from both major parties incorporating the issue into their affordability and anti-monopoly messaging ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

States including California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, Oregon, and Washington have already enacted comprehensive right-to-repair regulations covering consumer electronics, farm equipment, automobiles, and medical devices such as wheelchairs. Maine and Texas are poised to follow with similar legislation currently under consideration.

Major corporations have been compelled to respond to the growing pressure. Apple, Samsung, and IBM, along with automakers and agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere, have all been drawn into legislative and legal battles over repair access. John Deere recently settled a class-action lawsuit related to repair restrictions for $99 million, while continuing to face ongoing legal action from the Federal Trade Commission.

At the federal level, bipartisan support is emerging for national right-to-repair legislation. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the “Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair” (REPAIR) Act in April 2025, a bill designed to protect consumer choice and reduce vehicle repair costs by ensuring access to diagnostic tools and repair data for independent shops and aftermarket providers.

The Auto Care Association, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, the Consumer Access to Repair (CAR) Coalition, and other industry groups have voiced strong support for the REPAIR Act, citing survey data showing that 84% of independent repair shops consider data access a top challenge to their operations. The legislation aims to counter automaker-imposed restrictions that steer consumers toward more expensive dealer-controlled repair networks.

Public opinion strongly favors right-to-repair initiatives, with 75% of American drivers expressing support for solutions like the REPAIR Act, according to polling cited by the Auto Care Association. Advocates argue that expanding repair access would lower costs, increase consumer choice, and reduce electronic and mechanical waste by extending product lifespans.

Political analysts note that the right to repair has become a rare point of bipartisan agreement in an otherwise polarized legislative environment, framing it as a populist economic issue tied to household affordability and corporate accountability. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the issue is expected to feature prominently in campaigns across multiple states, particularly those where right-to-repair legislation is either pending or recently enacted.