LaHood: Toyota defends NHTSA on Toyota recalls, says administration isn’t a ‘lap dog’

The House Oversight Committee accused the NHTSA under Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood of being a “˜lap dog” to the automakers; an accusation which LaHood vehemently denied. “On my watch we have been a lapdog for nobody,” LaHood said. “We’ve been a lapdog for the people who drive cars and want to safely. That’s who we have been a lap dog for.”

Reports of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles was brought to the attention of the NHTSA as early as 2007 by the State Farm Insurance Agency. LaHood agreed with the assertion that Toyota acted less than expeditiously to the concerns raised by, among others, the NHTSA.

Also a point of contention, is the issue of former employees of regulatory agencies going to work for companies that they previously regulated; a practice that Toyota has indulged in.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: CNNMoney