A renewed policy push for right to repair is tied to how manufacturers restrict software access and prevent independent repairs, with examples spanning consumer electronics to complex systems purchased by the U.S. Department of Defense. The article frames the issue as both an affordability and an environmental concern, citing high electronic-waste generation and low recycling rates. In Congress, multiple bills are positioned to create a federal framework enabling repairs by users or third parties, while industry groups oppose those measures. Although the story is not higher education-focused on its face, the underlying governance question—who controls the software and repairability of technology—directly affects universities’ maintenance costs, lifecycle management, and compliance obligations for lab and instructional devices.