Washington, D.C. – May 22, 2024 – Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3317, the Rolling Stock Protection Act, taking a significant step toward protecting national security and the domestic rail industry. This legislation closes a loophole allowing grandfathered public transportation agencies to use federal funds to procure rolling stock from Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
H.R. 3317 builds on previous legislative efforts to secure the U.S. rail supply chain, notably the Transit Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act (TIVSA) included in the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). TIVSA prohibits transit agencies from using federal funds to procure railcars from companies owned or controlled by the Chinese government. While TIVSA made strides in curbing the influence of Chinese SOEs, the statute allowed ongoing contracts between certain transit agencies and Chinese SOEs to remain in place. H.R. 3317 would close that loophole, prohibiting federal funding for all transit rail contracts with Chinese SOEs.
The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) commends this decisive move, highlighting its critical importance for both economic and national security. Upon passage, RSI President Patty Long made the following statement:
“The passage of H.R. 3317 builds on the pivotal TIVSA provision by removing any opportunity for Chinese SOEs to infiltrate the U.S. rail supply industry and the U.S. rail system. Lawmakers not only recognize the importance of leveling the playing field for domestic manufacturers but also the gravity of safeguarding our nation’s infrastructure from potential security threats.”
RSI is the largest and only trade association that represents the full supply chain for the railroad system —manufacturers, distributors, and service providers to the freight car, locomotive, maintenance-of-way, communications, signaling, leasing, and passenger rail industries. The domestic railway supply industry has been a dynamic and vital part of the U.S. economy for more than 200 years, encompassing more than 682,400 direct, indirect, and induced jobs across all 50 states. RSI members provide all types of goods and services to freight and passenger railroads, rail shippers, freight car manufacturers, and lessors.
About the Railway Supply Institute (RSI):
The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) is dedicated to advancing safety, innovation, technology, and sustainability within the freight and passenger railway supplier industry, both in North America and global markets. As a leading voice of the industry, RSI strategically engages in critical and urgent industry matters by leveraging the technical expertise of our members to advocate in the legislative and regulatory arenas, foster education, host impactful events, and facilitate networking opportunities.
About the Railway Supply Institute (RSI)
The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) is dedicated to advancing safety, innovation, technology, and sustainability within the freight and passenger railway supplier industry, both in North America and global markets. As the voice of the industry, RSI strategically engages in critical and urgent industry matters by leveraging the technical expertise of our members to advocate in the legislative and regulatory arenas, foster education, host impactful events, and facilitate networking opportunities. For more information visit www.rsiweb.org, follow RSI on Twitter and LinkedIn