The Repair Association Backs Military Right to Repair (S.2209)
The fight for the Right to Repair has reached a critical milestone in Washington. The Senate Armed Services Committee is reviewing S.2209, a groundbreaking bill that would guarantee our military’s right to repair the equipment they purchase and rely on.
Today, we submitted a letter to Chairman Roger Wicker, Ranking Member Jack Reed, Senator Tim Sheehy, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and all members of the committee, voicing our full support for S.2209. This legislation would eliminate unnecessary repair monopolies, ensuring our armed forces can fix critical equipment on their own terms.
Why S.2209 Matters
Our military is the largest buyer of tech-enabled products in the world—yet too often, it’s locked out of essential repairs because manufacturers withhold access to parts, tools, or diagnostic information. These restrictions slow down readiness, inflate costs, and undermine the very concept of ownership.
Repair isn’t about copying designs or exposing trade secrets. It’s a fundamental right tied to ownership, and it’s essential for operational readiness. We’ve seen this issue play out across industries—from agriculture to medical devices—and the same principles apply to defense equipment.
Key Points from Our Letter:
Repairing military equipment is often hindered by artificial barriers, not a lack of skill. Without access to all four essentials—parts, tools, information, and firmware—repairs are impossible.
Opponents of Right to Repair have failed to prove that post-purchase control of products is lawful or beneficial.
Multiple federal studies—including reports from the FTC, FDA, EPA, and the U.S. Copyright Office—affirm that independent repair is legal, safe, and vital for public interests.
The U.S. Government already enforces security standards (like top-secret clearances) for technicians, including veterans, who are well-qualified to repair critical assets.
You can read our full letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee here.