Metro won’t get $150 million annually from the federal government if it buys railcars from China. That’s the latest stipulation from Virginia and Maryland senators who are concerned about cybersecurity in the nation’s capital.

The restriction comes as Metro is in the process of buying 800 new 8000-series railcars. Lawmakers are concerned the Chinese government could hack into Metro cars with listening devices or software that could control the trains and threaten security.

At risk is funding from the federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act. WMATA has received the federal funding for a decade. The funding helps Metro pay for significant capital expenses like rail infrastructure and railcars. The program is up for renewal and Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld has been lobbying to renew it.

Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Maryland Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin are writing the Chinese prohibition into the legislation. The legislation would “prohibit deals with firms based in countries such as China, which have laws requiring companies to cooperate with state intelligence or other government agencies,” according to the Washington Post, which first reported on the security concerns.

China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. has won four major transit rail car contracts awarded since 2014, including in Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the Post reports. They use Chinese shells but assemble cars in Chicago and Springfield, Mass., using mostly American-made components, according to the Post.

The company denied the allegations that they would do any cyber espionage.

“The assertion that foreign railcar manufacturers are installing malicious software in passenger railcars is ludicrous,” Dave Smolensky, a CRRC spokesman in Chicago, told the Post. “Once they are delivered to the transit agency, the railcars are operated by the agency and are never operated or controlled in any manner by the manufacturer.”

The Post cited industry experts that say buying from other builders could cost hundreds of millions of dollars more.

Kawasaki, the Japanese company that manufactured Metro’s 7000-series trains in Lincoln, Nebraska, has signaled it may stop making railcars because of losses.

Metro has delayed its procurement twice. Companies have until May 31 to apply for the contract. Metro says it will follow the law if passed.

The transit agency says the new cars will have new digital advertising screens and train maps, power outlets, and better signage for ADA spaces.

This story originally appeared at WAMU.