Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens DoD supply-chain security and oversight by vetting carriers and creating a centralized registry, but it imposes new compliance costs, potential exclusion of small carriers, operational delays, and privacy risks for carriers and subcontractors.
Department of Defense, taxpayers, and military supply chains gain stronger protections because carriers with ties to designated Chinese military companies are less likely to transport DoD freight and a centralized registry enables vetting and monitoring of carriers.
DoD and federal oversight benefit from clearer documentation and a centralized eligibility registry because carriers must keep certifications for five years and registration centralizes compliance information, improving audits, accountability, and onboarding for DoD shipments.
Taxpayers and DoD logistics programs are better protected from fraud because false certifications expose providers to suspension, debarment, and civil/criminal penalties, deterring dishonest actors.
Motor carriers, owner-operators, and small freight subcontractors will face new and ongoing compliance costs and administrative burdens because they must perform "reasonable inquiry," collect certifications, register, and retain records for five years.
Small subcontractors and independent owner-operators risk being excluded from DoD freight markets because they may be unable to verify the absence of ties to listed Chinese military companies, reducing competition and income opportunities.
Department of Defense logistics and carriers could experience slower approvals or reduced available capacity—potentially increasing costs or causing delays in DoD shipments—because the new requirements must be integrated into existing approval and enforcement processes.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires carriers and contractors that transport DoD cargo to certify they have no ownership/control/major business ties to entities on DoD's Chinese military companies list, retain records, and be listed in a DoD registry.
Introduced March 12, 2026 by Elise M. Stefanik · Last progress March 12, 2026
Requires motor carriers and related contractors that move Department of Defense cargo to certify they are not owned, controlled by, or in a significant business relationship with entities on the DoD list of Chinese military companies, to pass that certification to subcontractors and owner-operators, keep records for five years, and face suspension/debarment and false-statement penalties for knowing false certifications. The Department of Defense must issue implementing regulations within 180 days and integrate the requirement into existing carrier approval processes. Also creates a national security registry in federal transportation law to list motor carriers that handle DoD freight and updates the Title 49 chapter listing to reflect the new registry insertion.