Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9162
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-04: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T17:14:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to prohibit the entry into the United States of certain connected vehicles linked to specific foreign countries, in order to address potential national security concerns related to data and vehicle control.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Entry: Connected vehicles may not enter the United States if their country of origin is one of the covered countries (North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran) or if they are designed in such a country. The prohibition also applies if the manufacturer has more than 15 percent ownership, control, or board representation by entities from these countries.
- Exception for Testing: The ban does not apply to vehicles not intended for public roads that are imported solely for testing and evaluation by qualifying U.S.-based entities meeting ownership and location requirements.
- Authorizations Process: The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, may grant general or specific authorizations if a written risk assessment shows no undue risks to data security, critical infrastructure, or national security. This requires at least 60 days' advance notice to Congress and allows for a joint resolution of disapproval.
- List of Authorized Vehicles: The Secretary of Commerce must publish and maintain a public list of authorized vehicles, including details on manufacturers, models, and risk assessments where possible.
- Regulations and Timeline: Regulations must be issued within 90 days of enactment, including a list of prohibited vehicles and a public information plan. The prohibition takes effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register and applies to vehicles attempted to be brought in afterward.
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms such as "connected vehicle" (vehicles with networked hardware for wireless communication, excluding rail-only vehicles), "country of origin," and "covered country."
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new statutory prohibition on the import of specific connected vehicles based on foreign ownership and origin criteria. It establishes a framework for executive branch authorizations subject to congressional oversight, which represents an addition to current import and national security review processes without directly amending prior statutes in the provided text.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Commerce would handle enforcement, risk assessments, authorizations, and public notifications, potentially increasing administrative workload.
- Citizens: U.S. consumers may face reduced availability of certain imported vehicles, affecting market choices for connected models.
- International Relations: The measure could affect trade and diplomatic ties with the covered countries, particularly by limiting vehicle imports from China and others.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Manufacturers and suppliers of connected vehicles from covered countries or with ties to them.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Commerce.
- U.S. consumers and the domestic automotive industry.
- Entities seeking authorizations for testing or limited entry.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill incorporates congressional review through potential joint resolutions of disapproval, blending executive decision-making with legislative checks. It emphasizes national security considerations in trade policy, which may raise questions about consistency with existing international trade agreements, though the text focuses solely on domestic prohibitions and exceptions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-04: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-04: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-04 — PDF (8 pages)