U.S. senators are pushing to advance a bipartisan bill that would place permanent restrictions on Chinese connected vehicles and related technology in the American market.
The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 would restrict certain vehicles, software and hardware linked to China and other countries classified as covered countries under the legislation.
The Senate Commerce Committee reported the bill with an amendment on September 22, and the measure moved to the Senate Legislative Calendar the following day.
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | U.S. senators are advancing a bill to restrict certain Chinese connected vehicles and related technology. |
| Bill | Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, S. 4429 |
| Main sponsors | Senator Elissa Slotkin and Senator Bernie Moreno |
| Introduced | April 29, 2026 |
| Senate status | Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar on September 23, 2026 |
| Covered countries | China, Russia, Iran and North Korea |
| Vehicle and software restrictions | Scheduled to begin January 1, 2027, under the reported Senate version |
| Hardware restrictions | Scheduled to begin January 1, 2030, under the reported Senate version |
| Current status | The bill has not become law and remains in the congressional legislative process. |
Senate Targets Chinese Connected Vehicles
Senators Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, and Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio, introduced the legislation in April.
The bill targets connected vehicles and technology linked to countries listed as covered countries. The current bill names China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
The legislation would prohibit certain imports, manufacturing, sales and resales of covered connected vehicles in the United States.
Key Restrictions Would Start in 2027
Under the reported Senate version, restrictions on covered connected vehicles would begin on January 1, 2027.
The legislation includes rules for companies with ownership or control links to covered countries. It also contains exceptions and authorization procedures for certain situations.
The legislation has attracted support from senators in both political parties.
The Senate Commerce Committee approved the bill unanimously in July, according to statements from the offices of Slotkin and Moreno.
The latest Senate record lists dozens of cosponsors. It shows the measure as S. 4429 and records its placement on the Senate Legislative Calendar on September 23.
Slotkin Raises China Issues Ahead of Trump and Xi Meeting
On September 23, Slotkin appeared at a press conference with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Andy Kim.
Slotkin said she wanted President Donald Trump to address three issues during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Those issues included Chinese vehicles, information sharing involving Iran and the export of advanced U.S. chips to China.
U.S. Connected Vehicle Rules
The legislation builds on existing U.S. restrictions concerning connected vehicle technology.
The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security issued a final rule covering certain connected vehicle technologies associated with China and Russia. The rule appeared in the Federal Register in January 2025. The proposed legislation would place key restrictions into federal law while adding broader requirements.
The bill’s findings focus on the amount of information connected vehicles can collect and transmit. That information can include location, vehicle operations and other data.
Senate Moves Against Chinese Connected Cars
The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 would significantly expand federal restrictions on certain connected vehicles and vehicle technology linked to China and other covered countries.
The bill has bipartisan Senate backing and has cleared the Senate Commerce Committee. Its next stage is consideration by the full Senate.
The legislation remains a proposal at this stage. Its final impact will depend on further congressional action and the version that could ultimately become law.
