Washington, DC — A bipartisan group of US lawmakers announced plans for legislation that would block vehicles and automotive components tied to Chinese companies from entering the American market, citing national security and data-surveillance risks. The announcement was updated May 10, 2026.
Republican Congressman John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell unveiled the joint proposal, saying modern connected cars are effectively mobile data platforms that can gather detailed information about locations, movements, passengers and infrastructure.
The lawmakers argue that allowing Chinese-made hardware or software into US vehicles could expose sensitive data or create avenues for espionage and cyber intrusions. Their proposal follows warnings from intelligence and security officials about foreign actors exploiting networked systems.
Earlier this year, the US Department of Commerce finalized regulations limiting certain transactions involving connected vehicles that use specific Chinese technologies. The proposed House measure would add a legislative layer aimed at preventing those technologies and related components from reaching US roads.
Security concerns were heightened after former FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in 2024 that China-linked hacking groups, including the one known as Volt Typhoon, had infiltrated critical infrastructure networks in the United States. Wray warned such groups could disrupt transportation and other essential systems during a geopolitical crisis.
The House plan mirrors the Senate’s Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, introduced by Senators Bernie Moreno and Elissa Slotkin. Slotkin has characterized some Chinese-made electric vehicles as “surveillance packages on wheels,” emphasizing the need for legal protections to safeguard national security and the domestic auto industry.
Industry and policy groups have weighed in. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation backed the initiative, arguing that Chinese electric vehicle makers receive extensive state support and are part of a broader economic strategy; previous reports cited more than USD 230 billion in subsidies and financial assistance to China’s EV sector between 2009 and 2023.
Supporters say the bills are intended to protect consumers, critical infrastructure and American supply chains. Opponents are likely to raise concerns about trade impacts, how to define “Chinese-linked” technologies, and the technical and enforcement challenges of policing complex global supply networks.
Lawmakers plan to move the proposals through committee and seek bipartisan votes as they shape the final text. The debate highlights growing US scrutiny of the global electric vehicle industry and the intersection of technology policy, national security and trade.
This report is based on syndicated sources and public statements; details are subject to change as legislation advances.
