Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and colleagues introduced a bill to prevent America’s transportation industry from importing Chinese-made vehicles.
The Safeguarding Transit Operations to Prohibit (STOP) China Act prevents the use of Department of Transportation funds to purchase Chinese-made transit buses or rail cars.
In addition, the STOP China Act would require the federal government to list prohibited entities headquartered or affiliated with China.
This bill would build upon the Transportation Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act, which outlaws American companies with Chinese government ties from getting taxpayer money to build American-made rail cars and buses.
Blackburn said China’s attempts to exploit important “American infrastructure with taxpayer funds will not be tolerated.”
“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,” she said.
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) said China’s mission is to “infiltrate and dominate every aspect of American society.”
“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,” he said.
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) said American taxpayer dollars should be used to support America’s economy and its workers rather than going to China.
“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,” she said.
Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) explained that American 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.”
Cornyn, Baldwin, and Smith, along with Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), were Blackburn’s cosponsors on this bill.
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at zschmidt1717@gmail.com.
