Bill to require trucking companies hauling U.S. military equipment to prove they have no ties to China

U.S. lawmakers are pushing to restrict trucking companies with ties to China from hauling freight for the U.S. military.

On March 12, 2026, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced the Trucking Security and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Disclosure Act.

Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Elise Stefanik.

The bill seeks to increase national security by “ban[ning] Communist Chinese nationals from operating trucks carrying Department of War (DoW) cargo,” according to a news release from Cotton’s office.

If passed, the Trucking Security and CCP Disclosure Act would:

• Require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish and maintain a registry for carriers that pass extensive national security checks and are cleared to handle DoW freight.
• Require trucking companies carrying DoW cargo to certify that they have no ties to the CCP or Chinese companies that pose a threat to national security.

“Communist China continues spying on American military technology by exploiting truck drivers handling Department of War cargo. My bill will require anyone handling military freight to be properly vetted to ensure our adversaries cannot gain access to valuable information,” said Cotton.

“Most Americans would be shocked to learn that U.S. law does not already prohibit Communist China’s military from receiving transportation contracts tied to American defense projects. This bicameral legislation closes that loophole by establishing a clear firewall between the Chinese Communist Party and Department of War contracts. American tax dollars should never benefit our greatest adversary at the expense of U.S. national security,” said Stefanik.