S 1711119th CongressIn Committee

STOP China Act

Introduced: May 12, 2025

Defense & National SecurityInfrastructureTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Safeguarding Transit Operations to Prohibit China Act (STOP China Act) would block the use of federal funds to buy certain vehicles and vehicle technologies from entities tied to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) or to PRC-controlled firms. It applies to both rail rolling stock and related electric power trains, and it creates a public list of prohibited suppliers (and updates that list regularly). The bill also extends these prohibitions to the Department of Transportation (DOT) funding for similar vehicle procurements and charging/fueling infrastructure. Exceptions exist for safety testing and inspections, and for ongoing contracts that were eligible before enactment to complete delivery. A severability clause ensures that if part of the law is struck down, the rest can continue.

Key Points

1Prohibitions on federal funding for covered vehicles and related charging infrastructure from covered entities. After enactment, federal funds may not be used to procure or to build/maintain infrastructure for covered vehicles produced or provided by PRC-based entities or other entities tied to a covered nation.
2Broad definitions to capture control and ownership. A “covered entity” includes entities whose principal place of business is in a covered nation, are organized under a covered nation’s laws, or are owned/controlled by a covered nation or person, including various forms of control (ownership, board representation, voting arrangements, contracts, etc.), plus entities that are affiliates or successors of such manufacturers.
3List requirement for covered entities. The USTR (with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Transportation) must publish within 30 days a list of covered entities that produce or provide covered vehicles or electric power trains. The list is updated frequently (every 90 days for the first 180 days, then annually).
4Scope of covered vehicles. A “covered vehicle” means rolling stock (rail cars, locomotives, etc.) produced by a covered entity or that incorporates an electric power train from a covered entity.
5Carve-outs and contract timing. There is an exception for inspections, testing, or safety research. If a contract was eligible before the STOP China Act, funding may still be used to complete that contract, with delivery obligations continuing after enactment.
6Parallel DOT provisions. The act also applies to the Department of Transportation’s funding (other than certain Title 49 programs), barring DOT from awarding or funding covered vehicles or related charging/fueling infrastructure if contracts are entered after enactment. DOT also must publish and maintain a list of covered entities similar to the rail provisions.
7Severability. If any provision is found unconstitutional or invalid, the rest of the act remains in effect to the maximum extent possible.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Federal transit agencies, rail operators, and other public entities that purchase rolling stock or electric power trains, as well as contractors and suppliers for these projects.- The Department of Transportation and related procurement processes, plus the USTR and the Attorney General, who implement the list and enforce the prohibitions.Secondary group/area affected- Entities based in the PRC or with significant PRC ties (and their U.S. affiliates) involved in producing rolling stock or electric power trains.- U.S. taxpayers, national security interests, and U.S. supply chains for transportation equipment.Additional impacts- Procurement decisions and supplier diversification: agencies may shift to non-PRC-affiliated manufacturers, potentially increasing timelines and costs if alternatives are less readily available.- Compliance and verification burden for agencies to ensure vendors are not on the prohibited list and that contracts signed after enactment comply with prohibitions.- Potential impact on existing or planned transit projects that had been considering PRC-linked equipment or technology.- Encouragement of domestic or non-PRC international suppliers and technologies, which could influence U.S. transportation modernization strategies.

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