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Senate punts bill to permanently ban Chinese cars until after midterm elections

Moreno sponsored the vehicle restrictions and said the ownership threshold would need to be adjusted to address companies such as Mercedes-Benz.

Senate punts bill to permanently ban Chinese cars until after midterm elections
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This article1 analysis · Oct 3, 2026

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Sep 30, 2026
tl;dr

A bipartisan bill to bar connected vehicles and technology linked to China and other foreign adversaries stalled as senators negotiated over its ownership restrictions. Supporters said they would try again after the November elections.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Bernie Moreno R · OH · SEN
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Moreno in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Moreno’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Bernie Moreno
R · OH · SEN

Ohio senator and bill sponsor

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Elissa Slotkin
D · MI · SEN

Michigan senator and bill sponsor

Slotkin's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose stated openness to Chinese automakers contrasts with the bill's aims

Steve Daines
R · MT · SEN

Montana senator who expressed concern about Chinese electric vehicles

Howard Lutnick
R · Secretary of Commerce

Commerce secretary who commented on Chinese electric-vehicle makers establishing U.S. joint ventures

Rand Paul
R · KY · SEN

Kentucky senator and holdout in negotiations over the bill

ALSO MENTIONED  Xi Jinping, Chinese president who met with Trump at a summit in Washington

Part of a bigger story

16 OUTLETS
Senate Delays Bill Restricting Chinese-Linked Connected Vehicles

The Senate delayed action on a bipartisan bill restricting Chinese-linked connected vehicles, which Moreno sponsored. Coverage says negotiations addressed how the bill’s ownership threshold could affect Mercedes-Benz, with supporters expecting to try again after the November elections. Center outlets share a focus on negotiations over the bill’s scope and Mercedes-Benz, with some emphasizing ongoing talks and others the delay until November.

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