Washington, DC-  Responding to breaking news that Dubai Ports World is poised to turn over its stake in operations at U.S. ports, Representative Edward J. Markey, (D-MA), a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, released the following statement:

“While it is still unclear how DP World’s decision will affect operations at U.S. ports, the Bush Administration’s bungling of the entire review process has exposed dangerous security gaps at our nation’s ports.  Ninety-five percent of the cargo shipped to our country’s shores is not screened.  This is unacceptable – we should be screening 100 percent of this cargo before it reaches our shores.  Failure to do so leaves America vulnerable to a nuclear attack triggered by a bomb slipped inside an unscreened cargo container detonated in our country.  The Bush Administration’s failure on port security extends far beyond this particular deal.  The Administration may have saved face today, but the American public is now informed about the inadequacy of our port security.  A Bush Administration’s program, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, grants thousands of shippers an “E-Z” pass to send their cargo containers into our country with little chance that the U.S. government will inspect their goods or their facilities to verify the companies are actually following the security plans they pledged to implement as a condition of their participation in this program. The Bush Administration’s budget eliminates the port security grant program, nickel-and-diming our homeland security while writing a blank check for the war in Iraq.” said Rep. Markey.

Today’s announcement follows earlier outcries from Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate determined to stop the deal.  Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee approved legislation to block the ports deal.  President Bush faces steep opposition in Congress to his Administration’s policy of outsourcing of national security functions at ports, chemical facilities and nuclear facilities.

Markey continued, “DP World’s voluntary divestment is not enough.  What’s required is significant investment by the Bush Administration to close glaring port security loopholes that will persist, regardless of the outcome of the DP World transaction.  This episode also has illuminated the need for an overhaul of the process that the Treasury Department’s Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) uses to assess the national security implications of proposed transactions by foreign entities.  I have introduced the Port Operations Require Tough Scrutiny (PORTS) Act, which would tighten oversight over transactions that involve critical infrastructure such as seaports, airports and energy facilities, particularly when the proposed purchaser is a foreign government, as is the case in the DP World deal.  I will continue to push forward with efforts to strengthen our port security and ensure that we do not place our homeland security in the hands of foreign governments.” 
 
Last week, Rep. Markey is introduced the Port Operations Require Tough Scrutiny (PORTS) Act, legislation that would use the concept of “critical infrastructure” such as ports and other sensitive U.S. assets that are vital to our homeland and economic security to determine when it is appropriate to restrict ownership of a U.S. asset by a company owned by a foreign government. 

For more information on Rep. Markey’s work on securing America’s ports check out http://markey.house.gov/