Bob Menendez: “I am proud that I have introduced today along with Senators Clinton, Lautenberg, Nelson, and Boxer legislation that…”

“I am proud that I have introduced today along with Senators Clinton, Lautenberg, Nelson, and Boxer legislation that would guarantee that foreign governments cannot control the operations of the ports of the United States. I thank Senator Clinton for her leadership on this issue as we fight together, along with Senator Schumer and others, to keep the Port of New York/New Jersey safe. I think we all know why public attention has been focused on this deal over the past 2 weeks. Our ports are the gateway to this country. They are the gateway for much that we eat, that we drink, that we wear, drive, and use on a daily basis. But just as they bring in goods we enjoy, the ports are also our Achilles' heel, the vulnerability that could be exploited in an attempt to bring us down if terrorists transport a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon to our ports. That is why our legislation sets a new standard for the future control of our ports. Our legislation would protect our national security by keeping our ports from falling into the hands of foreign governments. Our legislation bans foreign government-owned companies from operating in our ports and requires the President to report to Congress on how to manage national security risks arising from any existing port contracts. Our legislation would also end the secrecy associated with the Dubai deal by making the executive branch notify Congress as well as State and local officials of future deals.…”