Central Alameda News

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On April 26, U.S. Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced the Airport Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act a bill that would further limit the federal purchase of Chinese-owned or operated vehicles in our transportation infrastructure.

The Transit Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act (TIVSA), which was signed into law in 2020, prevents federal funds from being used by transit agencies to purchase rail cars or buses manufactured by Chinese state-owned, controlled, or subsidized companies. However, Chinese companies are not prohibited from selling to federal agencies outside of Federal Transit Authority’s jurisdiction.

Chinese subsidies often allow their vehicle manufactures to make decisions that may not be financially justifiable otherwise, creating an uneven playing field for domestic manufacturer’s. In addition, some Chinese-owned companies have already been accused of skirting “Buy America” regulations and violating U.S. labor laws. In addition, some Chinese-owned companies assemble buses in the U.S., but rely on imported parts and components from China, instead of from existing U.S. supply chain.

The Airport Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act closes this loophole by simply prohibiting federal funds from being used by the Federal Aviation Administration to purchase rail cars or buses manufactured by Chinese companies, including airport shuttles and monorails. The bill also explicitly carves out China from the minority investor exemption in TIVSA.

“We must ensure that U.S. tax dollars are being invested in American businesses, technology, and workers,” said Rep. Eric Swalwell. “Chinese bus OEMs allow China specialized access and a position of leverage over global supply chains, technology flows, and, ultimately, data, which presents a risk to U.S. national security. The Airport Vehicle Security Act would ensure that Chinese companies do not undercut American competitors and instead ensure that taxpayer dollars are used to support American businesses and technology development.”

“The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, of which I was an original cosponsor, invests a historic $15 billion to modernize our nation’s airports. Congress, the Biden-Harris Administration, and public airport officials must ensure those taxpayer funds are spent on American-made equipment and materials. Even after Congress enacted the 2019 Transit Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act to stop mainland Chinese bus and rail car manufacturers from circumventing ‘Buy America’ requirements for taxpayer-funded public transit projects, those state-controlled companies are now exploiting another loophole to sell to buses and other rolling stock purchased for American airports with taxpayer dollars. The bill Rep. Swalwell and I introduced today will close this loophole and is a top priority in the coming FAA reauthorization,” said Rep. John Garamendi, a senior Democratic member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The Airport Vehicle Security Act is supported by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Alliance for American Manufacturing.

Original source can be found here