Frank Lautenberg: “the focus today, as we look at reforming lobbyist activities, is trying to show that there is an honest face within the…”

“the focus today, as we look at reforming lobbyist activities, is trying to show that there is an honest face within the Senate and within the Congress. We must continue with those activities. However, at the same time, we are looking at a situation that worries more than 70 percent of the American people today. There is no doubt about it, this deal is done. Today, Dubai Ports World owns shipping terminals throughout the United States and in my home State of New Jersey. Frankly, it is an outcome we are all trying to prevent, and we need to do whatever we can to reverse it. I am not sure it is possible, despite the positive words from colleagues across the room. That is why I am a cosponsor of this amendment. I know the port area very well in my State of New Jersey. It is called the Port of New York and New Jersey. It is the second busiest container port on the east coast. Millions of tons of cargo pass through it. It is strictly located to be near markets. It is less than 2 miles from the Newark Airport, one of the busiest in the country, and stretches almost to the shores of New York, 2 miles of land that the FBI says is the most dangerous 2 miles of territory in America for a terrorist attack. The reason goes beyond the confluence of all kinds of activities. It also is an area where there is lots of chemical manufacturing, chemical transportation, and warehousing of chemical materials.…”