S.Amdt. 6369

SA 6369, submitted by Mr. Cornyn and Ms. Baldwin, aims to stop the use of certain government funds to buy vehicles or build charging and fueling infrastructure for vehicles associated with "covered nations."

The amendment seeks to add the following changes and requirements:

• Prohibitions on Funding: It prohibits the Secretary of Transportation and the Department of Transportation from using "covered funding" to award contracts or spend money on "covered vehicles." This includes vehicles produced or provided by a "covered entity," or those that use an electric power train from a "covered entity."

• Infrastructure Restrictions: The ban extends to the construction, installation, or maintenance of infrastructure used to fuel or charge "covered vehicles" that are buses.

• Defining Covered Entities: It establishes strict definitions for "covered entities," "covered individuals," and "covered nations." Generally, a covered entity is one based in, headquartered in, or controlled by a covered nation.

• Accountability and Oversight: The United States Trade Representative, working with the Attorney General and the Secretary, must create and publish a public list of these covered entities within 30 days. This list must be updated every 90 days for the first 180 days, and annually after that.

• Exceptions: The prohibition does not apply if the vehicle is needed for motor vehicle safety research, development, testing, or the investigation and inspection of equipment.

• Existing Contracts: Funding may still be used to complete the delivery of rolling stock for contracts that were already eligible for assistance before this amendment was enacted.