Keeping China Off the Rails Act of 2026

This bill amends federal law to establish new manufacturing and content requirements for railroad freight cars operating on the United States general railroad system. Specifically, it targets cars used for transporting Department of Defense (DoD) cargo , aiming to enhance national security by ensuring these critical transport assets meet certain standards. The legislation introduces a phased implementation schedule for these new requirements, which will apply to an increasing scope of freight cars over four years. Initially, cars produced within the last two years must comply, with the scope expanding incrementally to include cars produced within five, ten, and fifteen years, until all freight cars transporting DoD cargo are covered after four years. The bill also provides specific exceptions to these new rules. The requirements will not apply if the railcar is used for clandestine DoD cargo operations, particularly when the movement is believed to be unknown to a "country of concern." Additionally, an exception is made if the railroad freight car owner has not been notified in advance that their car will be used to transport Department of Defense cargo.