Michigan lawmakers introduce bill to ban Chinese-linked connected vehicles
Bipartisan Michigan lawmakers target Chinese connected vehicle imports with new federal legislation citing national security and economic competition concerns.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN — Two Michigan members of Congress introduced federal legislation Monday aimed at prohibiting the importation, manufacture, and sale of connected vehicles and related technology linked to China and other adversarial nations.
U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and John Moolenaar (R-Caledonia) unveiled the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan measure would also apply to vehicles and related software and hardware from Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
National Security Concerns Drive Legislation
During a press conference Tuesday, Moolenaar warned that failing to act could devastate American automotive manufacturing. “This legislation is important because it’s the solution we need to stop our companies and American workers from being the next victims of China’s manipulative trade practices,” Moolenaar said.
The Republican congressman, who chairs the U.S. House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, pointed to China’s impact on the American drone industry as a cautionary example. “If we allow this to happen to our auto industry, it will be lights out for the American auto industry,” he stated.
Unfair Competition Claims
Dingell emphasized concerns about uneven global competition during the joint press conference with Moolenaar. “We are not competing on a level playing field, when China subsidizes its manufacturers, it manipulates its currency, it uses slave labor,” Dingell said. “That’s not a level playing field. And what they’re trying to do is to get inside our country and fight us from within.”
The Democratic congresswoman had joined members of Moolenaar’s committee on Saturday for a tour of a General Motors plant and a United Auto Workers chapter in metro Detroit. The visit was designed to examine the impact of Chinese manufacturing practices and discuss support for American automotive workers.
Broader Security Implications
The legislation comes as lawmakers express growing concern about potential security vulnerabilities in connected vehicle technology. Connected vehicles use internet-enabled systems that can collect and transmit data, raising questions about foreign access to sensitive information and critical infrastructure.
The bipartisan nature of the bill reflects widespread congressional concern about economic competition with China, particularly in strategic industries like automotive manufacturing. Michigan’s economy remains heavily dependent on the automotive sector, making the issue particularly relevant for the state’s congressional delegation.
The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 now awaits consideration by House committees before potential floor votes. The legislation would need approval from both chambers of Congress and the president’s signature to become law.
