<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3UB4iZ_0vjlZvM800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3UB4iZ_0vjlZvM800" width="600" height="455" ><figcaption>School Bus Source: TFP File Photo</figcaption></figure>U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced the Secure School Buses Act to prevent school bus manufacturers with ties to foreign adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), from accessing federal funding.“Currently, federal funding for public transit is restricted from going to companies linked to adversaries like the CCP, but this restriction does not extend to school buses,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our Secure School Buses Act closes this dangerous loophole, protecting national security and our students.”Senator Kelly emphasized the bill’s role in ensuring fair competition for U.S.-based companies. “The Clean School Bus Program has allowed Arizona and other states to upgrade their bus fleets with American-made buses. This bill ensures Chinese government-backed companies can’t unfairly compete in this program, just as we’ve protected public transit systems,” he said.Senator Cornyn underscored the bill’s national security implications: “It’s unacceptable for hostile nations to benefit from American taxpayer dollars. This legislation ensures federal funds won’t go to subsidiaries or affiliates of predatory entities like those in China.”Senator Baldwin added, “Taxpayer dollars should support American businesses, workers, and communities—not adversaries like China. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to ensure taxpayer investments in school buses stay in the U.S. and don’t give a competitive edge to bad actors.”The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Clean School Bus Program several years ago to help school districts transition to electric buses. To date, the EPA has awarded nearly $3 billion in taxpayer funds through this program. However, some companies involved in the electric bus industry have concerning ties to the CCP and other foreign entities.Currently, local governments can use federal funds to purchase buses from these companies, with some marketing their buses specifically for the Clean School Bus Program. While public transit systems are barred from purchasing vehicles from such foreign-linked companies, there are no restrictions on school bus purchases. This gap leaves schoolchildren vulnerable to potential security risks.Senator Blackburn has long raised concerns about the national security risks posed by Chinese-made electric vehicles and connected cars, given many Chinese companies’ ties to the CCP. This new legislation addresses the same concerns within the school bus industry.Please make a small <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KWYEB8X3JQ2MY">donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism</a>. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.Android Users: Download our <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tampafpcom.myapp&amp;hl=en_US&amp;gl=US&amp;pli=1">free app to stay</a> up-to-date on the latest news.Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tampafp/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://x.com/tampafreepress">Twitter</a> for breaking news and updates.Sign up: Subscribe to our free <a href="https://www.tampafp.com/newsletter/">newsletter</a> for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Tennessee, Arizona, And Texas Lawmakers Seek To Pull Funds From CCP-Linked School Bus Manufacturers

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced the Secure School Buses Act to prevent school bus manufacturers with ties to foreign adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), from accessing federal funding. “Currently, federal funding for public transit is restricted from...