Moolenaar, Gottheimer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect U.S. National Security on Railways

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced the Keeping China Off the Rails Act. The bipartisan legislation would protect America's rail network from foreign surveillance and ensure sensitive cargo movements cannot be tracked by our adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Current law prohibits foreign-developed tracking technology on new railcars, however, it does not address this technology on existing cars, even for the transportation of military cargo.

"America's rail system plays a vital role in our economy and our national defense," said Moolenaar. "We cannot allow the companies with ties to the Chinese Communist Party access to information that could track sensitive shipments and undermine our national security. Our bipartisan legislation addresses dangerous oversights in existing law and ensures this critical infrastructure is protected."

"Our railway system is foundational to our country's commerce, economic stability, and national security," said Gottheimer. "We have to take commonsense steps to make sure the Chinese Communist Party - or any foreign adversary - can't track what we're moving across the country, especially when it involves sensitive or military cargo. This bipartisan bill is about standing up to the CCP, protecting our infrastructure, and keeping our country safe."

Moolenaar is the Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Under Moolenaar's leadership, the committee has investigated a variety of efforts by the CCP to spy on the United States through critical infrastructure, and hack sensitive network technology. Gottheimer is a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Modern railcars rely on advanced sensors and tracking systems to maintain safety and efficiency; however, the presence of Chinese manufactured technology raises concerns that the CCP could exploit these systems to monitor sensitive U.S. cargo, including materials transported for national defense.

Moolenaar and Gottheimer's legislation provides a tiered compliance schedule to give the railway industry time to transition from foreign adversary technology while ensuring the United States remains prepared to respond to national security threats.

Legislative text may be found here.