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WASHINGTON – AVIA CEO Jeff Farrah recognized Senator Ted Cruz, chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, as the 2026 AV Champion. Chairman Cruz was presented with the award at a reception in the U.S. Senate following the organization’s annual DC Advocacy Day. The award is given to policymakers who are working to advance federal policies that support American leadership in autonomous vehicles.
“Autonomous vehicles present a generational opportunity to save lives and lower costs of consumers, but without commonsense, federal policies in place this opportunity will pass us by,” said AVIA CEO Jeff Farrah. “Senator Cruz understands that the future of American transportation will include autonomous vehicle technology. He is championing federal AV policies that ensure American leadership and encourage the safe, reliable deployment of autonomous vehicles. We are proud to recognize him as AVIA’s 2026 AV Champion.”
Previous AV Champions include Senators John Thune and Gary Peters and Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Greg Stanton.
In May, 16 chief executive officers of autonomous vehicle companies sent a letter to Chairman Cruz urging his committee to establish a federal autonomous vehicle framework as part of the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization legislation.
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