Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Lowers the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix

This Presidential Memorandum, signed in late June 2026, marks a major expansion of the "Right to Repair" movement, specifically targeting the automotive and aftermarket parts industries.It aims to lower vehicle ownership costs by dismantling the regulatory "bottleneck" that prevents individuals from fixing their own cars and limits the availability of affordable repair parts.Currently, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is the primary authority for certifying that aftermarket engine parts meet clean air standards. Most manufacturers rely on CARB certification because it allows them to sell in all 50 states.The Problem: The administration argues that CARB has become a "bottleneck," taking over a year to certify parts, which drives up costs and limits supply.The Solution: The EPA is directed to create alternative certification pathways that bypass California entirely. This "Federal-first" approach is intended to flood the market with cheaper, legal aftermarket parts.The Memorandum shifts federal enforcement philosophy regarding vehicle modifications:Good Faith Repairs: The EPA is instructed to "deprioritize" civil enforcement against individuals who are simply trying to fix their own vehicles to their original factory settings.Common-Sense Guidance: The EPA will issue new, plain-language rules clarifying exactly what a car owner can and cannot do to their own emissions systems without fear of federal prosecution.This Memorandum is the "final piece" of a massive 18-month push to preserve the internal combustion engine and lower transportation costs. The document lists several other "historic" actions:The "Endangerment Finding" Revocation (Feb 2026): The administration highlights the full revocation of the Obama-era finding that CO2 is a threat to public health. This was the legal foundation for almost all vehicle emissions mandates.CAFE Standards Reset: The administration reset fuel economy standards to levels that gasoline and diesel vehicles can "actually meet," ending the pressure to transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs).The Ending EV Mandates: The administration used a joint resolution to strike down California's planned 2035 ban on new gas car sales.The administration is framing these moves as a direct win for the family budget:Agriculture Savings: A similar "Right to Repair" move for farmers in February 2026 reportedly saved an average of $33,000 per repair.Lowering Car Prices: By removing the "crushing" regulatory burdens of the previous administration, the goal is to make both buying and maintaining a vehicle affordable for the average American worker.This Memorandum is a declaration of independence from California’s environmental rules. By allowing Americans to fix their own cars and creating a new, faster way for parts manufacturers to bypass state-level red tape, the administration is betting that market competition will drive down repair costs and extend the lifespan of traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles.1. Breaking the California "Bottleneck"2. Protecting the "DIY" Mechanic3. The Broader Deregulatory Context4. Economic "Results" NarrativeSummary