Keeping China Off the Rails Act

A U.S. House bill aimed at blocking China from American rail projects has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The **Keeping China Off the Rails Act** targets state-owned Chinese firms like China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. (CRRC), which has secured contracts to build rail cars for major cities including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.[1][11] Lawmakers cite cybersecurity risks as the primary concern driving the bipartisan push.[1][7]

This legislation builds on years of efforts to curb Chinese influence in U.S. transit infrastructure. CRRC's low bids have won significant deals, but federal proposals like the Transit Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act seek to bar agencies from using federal funds for such purchases.[1][3] The House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, chaired by Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC), oversees these policies amid ongoing work on a major surface transportation reauthorization bill, set to expire in September 2026.[2][4]

For Milwaukee residents, this matters as the city expands its transit network with federal aid through the Federal Transit Administration. Local projects like bus rapid transit and potential rail upgrades could face bidding restrictions, prioritizing U.S. manufacturers and bolstering national security while possibly raising costs.[2][6] It ensures taxpayer dollars support domestic jobs over foreign competitors with ties to adversarial governments.

The bill now awaits committee action, with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee poised to shape its path toward a House vote.[2][10]