Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman have announced plans to work together on legislation to improve automobile safety as a response to the problems experienced by Toyota recently.

Rockefeller’s Bill “will hold automakers to a higher standard and strengthen the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ability to more effectively protect Americans on the road.”  Waxman wants NHTSA to be assured “the resources, expertise and authority it needs to protect consumers from vehicle safety defects.”  The joint statement they issued did not disclose details of the planned legislation or say when it would be introduced.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has endorsed the idea of new legislation.