House Republicans Move to Secure Critical Infrastructure with a Bill to Ban Chinese Entities from U.S. Ports

Stamp marked "BANNED" on white background.

House Republicans introduce a bill to ban Chinese entities from accessing U.S. ports, aiming to fortify critical infrastructure against potential foreign threats.

At a Glance

  • GOP Rep. Michelle Steel introduces the Secure Our Ports Act to block China and other adversaries from accessing U.S. ports
  • The bill targets companies owned fully or partially by state-owned enterprises in China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran
  • Legislation aims to protect U.S. supply chains and national security
  • Bill follows concerns about Chinese equipment at U.S. ports potentially being used for surveillance
  • Move reflects growing bipartisan awareness of the need to secure America’s critical assets

Securing America’s Vital Trade Gateways

In a bold move to protect America’s critical infrastructure, House Republicans are introducing legislation aimed at preventing Chinese entities from accessing U.S. ports. The Secure Our Ports Act, spearheaded by GOP Rep. Michelle Steel, a member of the House Select Committee on Communist China, seeks to address pressing national security and economic concerns as tensions between America and China continue to escalate.

The proposed ban is designed to bolster security measures at key maritime trade centers, preserving their independence and ensuring they remain under full American control. The legislation targets companies owned fully or partially by state-owned enterprises in China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, reflecting the broader scope of potential threats to U.S. interests.

Protecting Supply Chains and National Security

Rep. Steel emphasized the critical nature of this legislation, stating, “Congress must protect America’s supply chains by restricting enemy governments from having high-level access to our ports.” This sentiment underscores the growing concern among lawmakers about the potential risks associated with foreign influence over essential U.S. infrastructure.

“Nations which threaten the very existence of the United States should not have easy access to our port infrastructure, a key lifeline of America’s supply chains.” Steel told Fox News Digital.

The bill’s introduction comes in the wake of growing concerns from national security and defense officials about the potential for Chinese equipment and cranes at U.S. ports to be used for surveillance purposes. This move reflects a broader push to safeguard America’s critical assets against potential manipulation by foreign powers.

Bipartisan Support and Broader Implications

The Secure Our Ports Act has garnered support from both sides of the aisle, with co-sponsors including Reps. Stephanie Bice, Ken Calvert, Rick Crawford, Richard Hudson, Doug LaMalfa, Nicole Malliotakis, James Moylan, Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, John Rutherford, and Randy Weber. This bipartisan backing underscores the widespread recognition of the need to protect America’s critical infrastructure.

The legislation is part of a broader effort to address potential vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains and national security. Recently, Congress passed legislation banning the Pentagon from using any seaport that relies on the Chinese logistics platform LOGINK, which tracks cargo and ship movements, potentially allowing Beijing to monitor America’s military supply chain.

“LOGINK’s visibility into global shipping and supply chains could also enable the Chinese government to identify U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities and to track shipments of U.S. military cargo on commercial freight.” – The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC)

As the United States continues to grapple with the complex challenges posed by China’s growing global influence, measures like the Secure Our Ports Act represent a decisive step towards safeguarding America’s economic interests and maintaining the integrity of its trade networks. The coming months will likely see further debate and action on this critical issue as lawmakers work to balance national security concerns with the demands of global commerce.

Sources:

  1. House GOP rolling out bill to block China from accessing US ports
  2. US Bans Pentagon From Using Chinese Port Logistics Platform
  3. House GOP rolling out bill to block China from accessing US ports
  4. US House passes bill to force ByteDance to divest TikTok or face ban
  5. House Report Warns That Chinese Cyber Spies Have Eyes on U.S. Seaports, (Sep 12, 2024)
  6. Biden administration warns Congress about China’s major presence at critical US ports

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