Bob Menendez: “Mr. Chairman, I recognize the intentions of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw). I want to express, however, some…”

“Mr. Chairman, I recognize the intentions of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw). I want to express, however, some reservations. Port employees overwhelmingly are hard-working and honest people who have a strong commitment to doing their jobs and serving their Nation. Also not only in terms of moving the trade that we always talk about in this Chamber, 95 percent of all the Nation's commerce moves through ports like the ones that I represent, but also in their efforts to eradicate illegal drug importation. Mr. Chairman, I represent the largest port in the Eastern seaboard. I clearly understand the need to fight the entry of illegal drugs through the ports of entry. In fact, port workers cooperate with the Customs Department in a program that they work together called the 'Dock Workers Against Drugs Initiative.' They are not coerced or force to do this. Rather, they participate voluntarily. Now, this bill imposes a Federal mandate in an area where local efforts are already underway.”