Foreign Ownership, Hidden Hardware, and Licensing Failures in America’s Transportation Systems

The House Judiciary GOP subcommittee convened to address critical national security concerns related to foreign ownership, embedded hardware, and licensing failures within America's transportation systems. The hearing highlighted the risks posed by Chinese-manufactured components embedded in U.S. infrastructure such as toll systems, ports, rail signaling, and electric vehicle charging stations, emphasizing the potential for espionage, disruption, and control by foreign adversaries. Witnesses underscored the need for stringent federal procurement restrictions against Chinese or Chinese-influenced entities, enhanced cybersecurity measures, and legislative reforms to safeguard supply chains and data sovereignty. Additionally, the discussion covered the integrity of commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), with concerns raised about unqualified and non-English proficient drivers compromising highway safety. The American Trucking Association advocated for codified English proficiency requirements and stronger enforcement against non-compliant electronic logging devices. Bipartisan consensus emerged on the urgency of addressing embedded threats and improving regulatory frameworks to protect critical transportation infrastructure and national security.