Sponsor
Thomas Bryant Cotton
Senator · R-AR
Senator · R-AR
Requires DoD surface cargo carriers and subcontractors to certify they are not owned/controlled by or in significant business relations with listed Chinese military companies and creates a motor-carrier national security registry.
Official title: Ensure secure transport of Department of Defense freight, and for other purposes.
Introduced March 12, 2026 by Thomas Bryant Cotton · Last progress March 12, 2026
The bill strengthens DoD logistics security and supply-chain transparency by excluding carriers linked to the Chinese military and imposing certifications and penalties, but it increases compliance costs, shrinks the pool of eligible carriers, and creates regulatory and enforcement risks that could raise costs or disrupt military shipments.
DoD, taxpayers, and military supply chains: The bill bars DoD contracts with motor carriers linked to the Chinese military, reducing the risk of foreign compromise of military logistics.
Government contractors and subcontractors: Prime contractors must flow certification requirements to subcontractors, improving supply-chain transparency for DoD freight transport.
Government contractors and subcontractors: Criminal penalties and suspension/debarment for false certifications increase compliance incentives and protect contracting integrity.
Government contractors, transportation companies, and taxpayers: The broad prohibition may shrink the pool of eligible DoD freight carriers, raising shipping costs and risking delays for military shipments.
Government contractors and transportation workers: Enforcement risks and possible false positives could produce wrongful suspension or debarment, harming businesses and workers.
Government contractors, subcontractors, and transportation workers: New 'reasonable inquiry' obligations and five-year certification retention create ongoing compliance costs and administrative burdens.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Requires motor carriers and all tiers of contractors that move Department of Defense surface cargo to certify they are not owned, controlled by, or in significant business relationships with Chinese military companies listed under existing law, and to pass that certification down their subcontract chains. Creates a new Title 49 chapter placeholder for a national security registry for motor carriers handling DoD freight and directs the Secretary of Defense to issue implementing regulations within 180 days.