Senator Baldwin’s Law to Support Made in America Freight Railcars on Track to Implementation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that her bipartisan legislation to support Made in America freight railcars is going into effect, safeguarding our national security against state-owned companies in countries like China. Senator Baldwin introduced Stopping America’s Foreign Enemies Through Rail and Infrastructure National Security Act (SAFE TRAINS Act) with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and successfully added it as an amendment to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021.

“Investing in American manufacturing has always been a win-win for American taxpayers, businesses, and workers, but when it comes to freight rail, ensuring our railcars are not manufactured in China is also a national security imperative. Our economy depends on freight rail to transport goods and get products to market, and it’s critical the U.S. does not rely on China for this crucial mode of transportation,” said Senator Baldwin. "I’m proud my bipartisan legislation to safeguard our rail supply chains is going into effect, supporting American manufacturing, and helping ensure Made in Wisconsin businesses have safe, reliable rail service for years to come.” 

The SAFE TRAINS Act of 2021 prohibits railroad freight cars from operating on the U.S. freight railroad interchange system if the cars are manufactured in or use sensitive technologies from a country of concern or an affiliated state-owned enterprise. Countries of concern include nonmarket economies, those that inadequately protect intellectual property rights, and violators of certain foreign trade practices and agreements.

Last week, the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) took the first steps to implement Senator Baldwin’s legislation, proposing a rule to place restrictions on newly built freight cars placed into service in the United States.

"The Railway Supply Institute strongly supports protecting the freight rolling stock supply chain from bad actors and unfair competition. We applaud the FRA for its work to ensure our freight rail network is secure and are encouraged by our initial review of the proposed rule. We are hopeful that the final rule will mirror congressional intent of the SAFE TRAINS provision in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Patty Long, President, Railway Supply Institute.

“Protecting our nation’s freight rail rolling stock from foreign adversaries like China is not optional. We are grateful for the leadership of Sens. Baldwin and Cornyn for prioritizing the SAFE TRAINS Act as part of the 2021 infrastructure law and thank the Federal Railroad Administration for their work. The national and economic security of the U.S. rail interchange system depends on being free from unfair competition and the incursion of state-owned enterprises from adversarial countries,” said Erik Olson, Executive Director, Rail Security Alliance.

###