Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4000
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T19:46:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act of 2026 aims to protect U.S. transportation infrastructure by restricting the use of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology—a sensor system that uses laser light to measure distances, often in vehicles and mapping—from entities in certain foreign countries considered national security risks. It prevents the Department of Transportation (DOT) from funding or contracting with suppliers of such technology to reduce vulnerabilities to adversaries.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "LiDAR" refers to light detection and ranging technology.
- Terms like "covered foreign country" (e.g., nations posing security threats, as defined in prior law), "covered LiDAR company" (firms from those countries), and "covered LiDAR technology" (products from them) are drawn from the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
- "Secretary" means the Secretary of Transportation.
- Prohibition on Procurement and Contracts:
- The Secretary cannot procure, obtain, or use:
- Covered LiDAR technology.
- LiDAR from covered companies or produced in covered foreign countries.
- The Secretary cannot enter into, extend, or renew contracts with any entity unless the entity certifies it will not use such prohibited LiDAR in performing the contract.
- Waiver Process:
- The Secretary may grant case-by-case waivers if the action is in the U.S. national interest, but must notify the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure at least 15 days in advance with a written certification.
- Restrictions on Loans and Grants:
- DOT loan or grant agreements must prohibit recipients from using funds to procure, obtain, or use prohibited LiDAR technology.
- Applicability and Exceptions:
- Takes effect for obligations, expenditures, or contracts on or after June 30, 2026.
- Does not apply to:
- Applications for exemptions from federal motor vehicle safety standards.
- Waivers or exemptions from federal motor carrier safety regulations.
- Grants, operations, procurements, or contracts for testing, research, evaluation, analysis, or training related to vehicle safety.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new restrictions specifically for DOT on LiDAR technology, building on definitions from the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act but extending prohibitions to transportation contracts, grants, and loans. It does not amend existing laws directly but adds a layer of national security vetting for procurement, similar to restrictions in defense sectors, without prior equivalents in civilian transportation funding.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DOT will face administrative burdens in verifying certifications, processing waivers, and ensuring compliance, potentially delaying projects or increasing costs for alternative suppliers.
- On Citizens: May indirectly raise costs for transportation infrastructure (e.g., roads, vehicles) due to shifts away from cheaper foreign LiDAR, but enhances security in areas like autonomous vehicles and traffic systems.
- On International Relations: Could strain trade ties with covered foreign countries (likely including China, based on prior law), signaling U.S. efforts to decouple critical tech supply chains from adversaries, while encouraging domestic or allied sourcing.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Transportation (DOT): Directly responsible for enforcement, waivers, and compliance in contracts and funding.
- Contractors and Grantees: Private entities, including tech firms, vehicle manufacturers, and infrastructure developers, who must certify against prohibited LiDAR or seek alternatives.
- LiDAR Suppliers: Companies from covered foreign countries or using their tech will lose access to DOT funding and contracts.
- Transportation Industry: Includes automakers, logistics firms, and safety researchers, who may need to adapt supply chains.
- Congressional Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation; House Transportation and Infrastructure—gain oversight through waiver notifications.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable certifications and prohibitions, with waivers providing flexibility while ensuring congressional oversight to prevent arbitrary decisions. Exceptions protect ongoing safety research, avoiding conflicts with existing federal vehicle regulations under Title 49 of the U.S. Code.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I) to condition federal funds on security criteria, without infringing on free trade rights, as it targets national security risks.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan concerns over foreign tech dependencies (introduced by Sens. Budd, Baldwin, Cotton, and Blunt Rochester), potentially setting a precedent for broader infrastructure security laws amid U.S.-China tensions, but may spark debates on economic costs versus security benefits.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2026-03-05: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-05 — PDF (4 pages)