Rep. Andrews Join With U.S. Senators Lautenberg and Menendez, Calls for Comprehensive Investigation into U.S. Port Ownership

REP. ANDREWS JOINS WITH U.S. SENATORS LAUTENBERG AND MENENDEZ, CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO U.S. PORT OWNERSHIP

On February 27, 2006, I joined my colleagues, Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez in Camden, NJ, to voice our concerns over the sale of vital U.S. ports to a foreign owned business. The Bush Administration approved the sale of six ports to a company owned by the United Arab Emirates without sufficient review to ensure U.S. security. The Coast Guard raised security concerns about this deal several weeks ago and the American people deserve a thorough Congressional review. A mere assurance from the President, who has just learned of this sale, does not satisfy my concerns.

I am working in Congress with both New Jersey's U.S. Senators to block the sale of our ports to any foreign entity. Congress must address the greater security concerns of having foreign companies owning and operating ports across the United States. Specifically, foreign ownership of U.S. ports creates a serious conflict of interest in the sharing of intelligence to prevent breaches to our Homeland Security. The approval of this sale without further scrutiny was a horrendous idea, and it leads to more questions than answers regarding the judgment of those tasked with making this decision.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/nj01_andrews/3_6_06.html