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119-hr-10158119th CongressWALLET

Automotive National and Economic Security Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

In Committee

Summary

Federal study of foreign-adversary risks in the U.S. automotive sector. This bill would require the Secretary of Commerce to map where carmakers' ties to foreign adversaries, technology transfers, or state-directed investments create national security, economic competitiveness, or intellectual property risks and to publish findings for Congress and the public.

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  • Manufacturers. Carmakers would be evaluated for any "covered activity" such as foreign ownership, joint ventures, contract manufacturing, R&D partnerships, licensing, or investments tied to foreign adversaries.
  • Reporting and transparency. Commerce would consult other agencies, report to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and publish an unclassified report online within two years while protecting trade secrets and sensitive information.
  • Scope of technology. The study would cover covered hardware and software examples such as radio-frequency components above 450 MHz, electric vehicle battery management systems, and automated driving systems (Levels 3 through 5), plus transfers of critical technologies like artificial intelligence and semiconductors to state-controlled entities.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Commerce study of automakers' foreign ties

If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of Commerce to study manufacturers' commercial ties to foreign adversaries. The study would examine ownership, investments, joint ventures, tech transfers, and operations or employees in adversary countries. The Secretary would consult other federal agencies. An unclassified report would be sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and posted within two years while withholding trade secrets and information that could harm national security.

Rules for foreign-controlled auto companies

If enacted, the bill would define when a manufacturer counts as controlled by a foreign adversary. A company would count as controlled if it is domiciled, headquartered, organized, or has its principal place of business in a foreign adversary, or if it gets at least 50% of annual revenue in that country. The bill would also say which commercial ties count as covered activity, such as ownership stakes, joint ventures, contract manufacturing, R&D partnerships or licensing, and adversary-controlled investments. The bill would adopt the same "foreign adversary" meaning used in 10 U.S.C. 4872(f).

Which car hardware and software count

If enacted, the bill would set what vehicle parts and technologies the rules cover. "Covered hardware" would include programmable car components that enable radio communications above 450 MHz and EV battery systems that monitor, manage, secure, or report battery performance. "Covered software" would include apps, middleware, system software, or AI that run on a vehicle's primary processor and directly make covered hardware or automated driving systems work. The bill would define an automated driving system as Level 3–5 hardware and software that can perform the whole driving task. It would also list critical and emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum tech, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

TN • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 8/27/2026

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 9/2/2026

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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