Right to Repair Movement Is Now a Populist Force
Americans are angry about prices. More of them now blame one clear target: the companies that control who can fix devices and how much repairs cost. Right to repair has turned into a consumer-first, populist message that both Republicans and Democrats now use in their affordability and anti-monopoly campaigns. This debate is no longer just for tech circles. It has become a real kitchen-table issue.
What the Right to Repair Movement Has Already Won
The movement has already delivered real wins. California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, Oregon, and Washington have passed major right-to-repair laws. These rules cover everything from phones and laptops to farm equipment, wheelchairs, and automobiles.
Families also stand to gain financially. Experts estimate households could save about $400 a year on electronics and smartphone repairs. That matters in an economy still strained by inflation.
Small businesses have joined the push as well. The NFIB, the largest small business lobby in the US, says 89% of its members support right-to-repair legislation. They have also made it a top priority for 2026. That level of support gives the movement rare bipartisan strength.
How Right to Repair Is Reshaping Big Business
Big companies now face direct pressure. Apple, Samsung, IBM, automakers, and John Deere all sit at the centre of the right-to-repair battle. Some have resisted harder than others.
Federal regulators have stepped in, too. In 2025, the FTC sued John Deere. The agency claims Deere restricted diagnostic software access to company-linked dealers. Regulators argue the move raised repair costs for farmers while boosting Deere’s profits.
Legal experts say the issue runs deeper than one company. David Friedman, a law professor at Willamette University, argues that manufacturers build closed ecosystems by bundling repair services with product sales. That approach limits consumer choice and pushes people toward costly official repairs. It also discourages competition because brands fear losing profit margins.
Now the fight has entered election season. In 2026 alone, advocates are tracking 57 right-to-repair bills across 22 states. Texas also stands out, with its new law taking effect on September 1. The law covers phones, laptops, and tablets, and it could affect millions of users.
Pressure is also rising at the national level. New York State Senator Patricia Fahy, who helped pass New York’s 2022 law, wants Congress to act. She calls it a bipartisan issue. Fahy says repair shops already see growth, with more independent options opening up and prices dropping. Early estimates also suggest repair shops could hire 15% more workers.
What started as a consumer protection cause has now become one of the biggest affordability battles of 2026.
