The Military Might Finally Win the Right To Repair 12
Senators Tim Sheehy and Elizabeth Warren have introduced the bipartisan "Warrior Right to Repair Act," which would guarantee the military's right to repair its own equipment. The bill builds on a previous Army directive and has broad public support, with nearly 75% of Americans in favor, according to a PIRG poll. Engadget reports: The Department of Defense has not been immune from restrictive practices set forth by manufacturers, and much like the average consumer, has been hamstrung in its ability to repair its own equipment by clauses in its purchase agreements. According to the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), the current system leads to excessive repair and sustainment costs, and can even impede military readiness.
"When our neighbors, friends and family serve in our military, we expect them to get what they need to do their jobs as safely as possible," PIRG Federal Legislative Director Isaac Bowers wrote regarding the newly introduced bill. "Somehow, that hasn't included the materials and information they need to repair equipment they rely on. It's time we fixed that."
"When our neighbors, friends and family serve in our military, we expect them to get what they need to do their jobs as safely as possible," PIRG Federal Legislative Director Isaac Bowers wrote regarding the newly introduced bill. "Somehow, that hasn't included the materials and information they need to repair equipment they rely on. It's time we fixed that."
but what about the kickbacks on the $20K tech fiel (Score:1)
but what about the kickbacks on the $20K tech field visit fees?
Re: (Score:2)
You joke but a lot of suppliers to the US government, including the military, works on a two-contract basis - the initial acquisition of the item, and then the support contract for the item.
A lot of suppliers bid low on the initial acquisition contract, because they know they can make up losses on the support side later on. The supplier is also more willing to take on more risk as part of the supply, again because they can make money back on the support.
If the support contract becomes uncertain because the
Re: but what about the kickbacks on the $20K tech (Score:2)
The interesting part is if this will include the source code for firmware.
Did anyone expect anything different? (Score:1)
It seems pretty straightforward that for the military they'd need intimate knowledge on how their gear works, not just so it can be repaired but to assure there's nothing in the system that could compromise security. That might not be much of a big deal on a kitchen oven, something that contracts with the military prohibited being repaired by military personnel, as that would be more of an inconvenience than something that could threaten lives. In the case of drone aircraft the loss of function because of
"Win"? (Score:2)
The Military Might Finally Win the Right To Repair
Shouldn't the military already have that right by long-standing legislative fiat, or, if necessary, by force?
Oh, sorry, I forgot... the country is really ruled by corporations, not by the electorate. How silly of me.
Re: (Score:1)
Buying vs copying (Score:2)
If buying isn't owning, then copying isn't stealing
SO SUE ME (Score:2)
“If you’re asking me how it got in there, no, I don’t know,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said during an interview on Tuesday.
“I don’t know anything about it. I’m not sure what it does,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) added.
Both GOP senators serve on the Senate Finance Committee, which crafted the tax provisions of the bill. The panel, which is led by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), released the legislative language concerning the tax change weeks before the bill passed in the Senate. It went largely unnoticed until it was signed into law over the weekend.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), another member of the committee, called it “bad policy.”
“I was so focused on Medicaid, I wasn’t looking for other reasons to be against the bill. But that would be another one,” explained Tillis, who opposed the legislation due to its cuts to the Medicaid health insurance program.
Under the new law, gamblers will be allowed to deduct just 90% of their losses from their income taxes starting in 2026. Previously, they could deduct 100% of their losses. Now, for example, gamblers who win $100,000 but lose $100,000 – coming out even — would still be required to pay taxes on $10,000.