Lawmakers Race To Make Chinese Car Ban Permanent Before Congress Runs Out Of Time

A bipartisan bill to keep Chinese-made vehicles out of the American market is running short of time in the Senate. The Connected Vehicle Security Act, sponsored by Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, cleared committee July 22 and has 57 cosponsors, 36 Republicans and 21 Democrats, but has had no floor vote. Should the session end Jan. 3, 2027 without action, supporters would need to begin again under a Congress where Democrats would control both chambers, according to Daily Caller.

The bill's bans would begin Jan. 1, 2027, targeting wirelessly connected cars and light trucks that come mainly from North Korea, China, Russia or Iran, or from makers more than 15% held by those countries or affiliates. Software limits would apply to 2027 models and hardware limits from 2030.

A September attempt at quick passage stalled when Sen. Rand Paul argued the measure could snare Mercedes-Benz, in which Chinese investors hold nearly 20% through passive stakes, The Associated Press reported. Pushing back, He Weiwen of the Center for China and Globalization told the state-run Global Times the auto industry's lobbying is trade protection, not security.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Daily Caller’s reporting. Read the full story at Daily Caller →