Political Quotes

“on Monday, I was briefed on current security and commerce issues by the executives of the Port of Philadelphia. These men and women operate the world's largest freshwater port and one of the Nation's strategic military seaports. While there, we discussed the key role the Philadelphia and other U.S. ports play in our national and global economy, the fact that the United States is the leading maritime trading Nation in the world, and how last year more than 11 million containers, carrying our basic necessities and supplies, came to our Nation's ports and how our seaports account for 75 percent of international commerce. We also talked about how a significant disruption in our port system would be devastating to our economy, causing massive shortages of food, oil, and other vital commodities. Yet despite these facts and despite universal agreement that our vessels, our containers, and ports are potential terrorist targets, this administration approved a deal allowing a United Arab Emirates-controlled company to oversee operations at six major U.S. ports, including the Port of Philadelphia. {time} 1500 My colleagues, this administration quietly tried to move this deal forward without informing Congress or without informing the American public. Even knowing the serious threats against us, this administration relinquished its right to conduct an in-depth national security investigation of this proposed acquisition and, instead, approved the deal.…”