WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) introduced the Safeguarding Transit Operations to Prohibit (STOP) China Act, which would protect domestic transit operations and supply chains from malign Chinese influence by preventing any appropriated funds to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from being awarded to grantees for the purchase of Chinese government transit buses or rail cars:

“China’s attempts to exploit critical American infrastructure with taxpayer funds will not be tolerated,” said Senator Blackburn. “The STOP China Act would prevent hard-earned American dollars from purchasing Chinese-made vehicles in our transit infrastructure, protecting our national security and supporting American manufacturing.

“It is China’s mission to infiltrate and dominate every aspect of American society, including our transit systems, and we cannot let them succeed,” said Senator Cornyn. “By preventing American tax dollars from being used to purchase Chinese government transit buses or rail cars, our legislation would help protect U.S. transportation infrastructure from the CCP.”

“When we invest American taxpayer dollars, we should be supporting our Made in America economy and American workers, not opening our checkbook to adversaries like China,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to work with Republicans and Democrats to support our workers and companies, keep the United States safe, and close a loophole that Chinese companies are exploiting to win government contracts and undercut American workers.” 

“At every opportunity, the Chinese Communist Party works to exploit America and put our nation’s critical infrastructure at risk,” said Senator Scott. “We cannot allow an adversarial regime access to supply chains and transit that we rely on every day, and we definitely cannot allow U.S. tax dollars to fund any projects that allows such access. We must prioritize Americans’ safety, American jobs, and American manufacturing, and put an end to our dangerous dependence on a regime that openly seeks our downfall.”

“Domestic transit vehicle manufacturers shouldn’t be victim to Chinese companies exploiting loopholes and engaging in unfair trade practices that harm business and pose significant national security concerns,” said Senator Smith. “I’m glad to support the STOP China Act to close the loopholes and help Minnesota’s strong transit manufacturing industry continue to succeed.”

“China is actively working to undermine American workers and our economic success, particularly in the transportation industry, by flooding global markets with artificially cheap vehicles, from electric vehicles to buses,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan bill would help level the playing field for Michigan manufacturers, suppliers, and workers as we continue to lead the world in mobility innovation by preventing taxpayer dollars from being used to support companies owned and operated by the Chinese Community Party.”

U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.) cosponsored the legislation. Congressmen Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) and John Garamendi (D-Calif.) are leading companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Background:

Congress passed the Transportation Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act, which prohibits companies with ties to China’s government from receiving taxpayer-funded contracts from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to build U.S. rail cars and buses, as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. However, China has taken advantage of other government funds in the law to continue competing for transit business in the U.S. The Safeguarding Transit Operations to Prohibit (STOP) China Act would prevent any appropriated funds to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from being awarded to grantees for the purchase of Chinese government transit buses. It would also require the United States Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with the U.S. Attorney General, to produce a list of prohibited entities headquartered or affiliated with China.

The legislation is endorsed by Alliance for American Manufacturing, Steel Manufacturers Association, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Steelworkers, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and Transport Workers Union of America.