S. 1711 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, May 12, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryBlocks federal transit funds for Chinese-tied vehicles
This bill stops federal transportation money from buying buses, rail cars, and fueling or charging equipment from companies connected to China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran. It updates an existing rule to cover a broader range of companies and organizations that have ties to these countries, including joint ventures and individuals who work on behalf of these nations. The U.S. Trade Representative would publish and update a yearly list of companies that fall under this ban.
How it affects you
If you use public transit like buses or trains, this could affect what vehicles your local system can buy with federal funding. Cities and transit agencies that receive federal transportation money will need to source their vehicles and charging infrastructure from approved suppliers, which may limit their options or affect timelines for new purchases or upgrades.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, May 12, 2025)
Safeguarding Transit Operations to Prohibit China Act or the STOP China Act
This bill prohibits federal transportation funds from being used to purchase rolling stock (e.g., rail cars or buses) or fueling or charging infrastructure from entities with ties to China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran (i.e., a covered nation). In general, this replaces a current prohibition on the use of Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) funds for rolling stock from manufacturers owned or controlled by corporations based in certain countries.
Specifically, Department of Transportation (DOT) funds, which include FTA funds, may not be used for the purchase of rolling stock or bus fueling or charging infrastructure from entities with ties to a covered nation. This prohibition also applies to vehicles that incorporate electric power trains from such entities.
The prohibition broadly applies to corporations, joint ventures, individuals, and organizations with ties to covered nations. Examples of applicable entities include an individual whose activities are directed or financed by a covered nation or an entity that is owned or controlled by a covered nation or such an individual.
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) must publish a list of the applicable entities and update the list annually.
The bill includes an exception for motor vehicles or fueling and charging stations used for (1) inspecting or investigating vehicles or equipment; or (2) vehicle safety research, development, or testing.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1711
A BILL
STOP China Act
Sponsor: Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) · Introduced May 12, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 12, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.”