USHBC backs Senate push to block high-risk connected vehicle tech

By AI, Created 4:34 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – The United States Hispanic Business Council is urging support for the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, saying connected cars linked to foreign adversaries pose national security, privacy and economic risks. The Senate bill would bar certain China-linked vehicles, parts and software from the U.S. market and give Commerce more power to block risky transactions.

Why it matters: - Connected vehicles can collect and transmit geolocation data, driving patterns, infrastructure maps and other sensitive consumer information. - USHBC says foreign access to that data could threaten consumer privacy, U.S. infrastructure and long-term economic security. - The debate reaches beyond autos and into manufacturing, logistics, semiconductors, software, energy systems and small business supply chains.

What happened: - USHBC President and CEO Javier Palomarez responded to the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, proposed by Sens. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich. - The legislation would ban automobiles, parts and software made in or in partnership with China and other adversarial nations from the U.S. market. - The bill would also prohibit the importation, integration, manufacture, sale and resale of connected vehicles and related technologies tied to foreign adversaries. - The proposal would empower the Commerce Department to identify and block high-risk vehicle technologies and transactions. - Palomarez praised the senators for pursuing policies aimed at protecting American innovation and the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. economy.

The details: - Palomarez said connected vehicles are now “rolling data collection systems” that can capture highly sensitive information about American consumers, infrastructure and transportation networks. - He warned that foreign adversaries could access or exploit that data. - Palomarez said American manufacturers and workers have long faced unfair competition from heavily subsidized foreign industries. - He said the auto sector supports millions of U.S. jobs, including small and midsized suppliers. - USHBC said small businesses need predictability, fairness and clarity as the policy evolves. - The group said American companies operate under rigorous consumer protection, transparency and regulatory expectations. - USHBC said concerns remain about whether foreign adversarial systems follow the same standards, data governance practices or legal constraints. - The organization said global rivals are investing heavily in advanced transportation technologies. - USHBC also said these technologies affect commerce and national security in real time.

Between the lines: - The statement frames connected vehicle policy as a test of whether the U.S. can encourage innovation without creating new cybersecurity and geopolitical vulnerabilities. - The bipartisan sponsorship gives the bill added political weight in a debate that blends tech regulation, trade policy and national security. - USHBC is positioning itself as pro-innovation but explicitly pro-security, a stance aimed at both lawmakers and the business community.

What’s next: - USHBC said it will keep working with lawmakers, federal agencies and industry stakeholders as the policy debate continues. - The group wants emerging transportation technologies to strengthen economic opportunity and national security for U.S. businesses and consumers. - Palomarez said these discussions are shaping the future of commerce, transportation and national security now, not later. - USHBC directed readers to become a member and follow @myushbc and @JPalomarez on X for more information.