Secure Our Ports Act of 2025

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to approve my bipartisan legislation, H.R. 252, the Secure Our Ports Act.

This bill is designed to strengthen our national security by prohibiting foreign adversaries from owning and operating critical infrastructure in the United States.

China's influence and access to critical infrastructure around the world continues to grow. Some reports indicate China owns or operates ports and terminals at nearly 100 locations in over 50 countries.

Last year, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party issued a report highlighting its national security concerns over the influence of critical port infrastructure by Chinese-owned enterprise.

More recently, the Defense Department included a number of Chinese shipping firms to a list of companies it identifies as military in nature.

America's ports are essential gateways for trade and commerce which provide the foundation of our economy as well as our national security. Allowing foreign adversaries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran to own and operate port infrastructure would threaten that very foundation and creates a serious liability. Congress must take action and protect this vital infrastructure by passing the Secure Our Ports Act.

In closing, I thank my California colleague, John Garamendi, for cosponsoring this bill and making the bipartisan effort as well as Carlos Gimenez of Florida.

I also thank the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, my friend Sam Graves, for steering this bill through the Committee.

America's ports are vital to our economic and national security, and I urge all my colleagues to approve this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 252) to amend title 46, United States Code, to prohibit certain contracts for port operations and management, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 252, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 252 takes important steps to strengthen the security of our supply chains by limiting the ability of the Chinese, Russian, North Korean, or Iranian state-owned entities to own, lease, or operate port terminals in this country.

This legislation will ensure that our ports remain safe from both cyber and physical threats, which increases our national security posture.

I commend my colleague from California (Mr. Calvert) for leading on this issue and working to strengthen our Nation's posture against our adversaries.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill creates a vital safeguard for some of our Nation's most critical infrastructure. H.R. 252 prevents certain foreign entities from entering into contracts for the ownership, leasing, or operation of port facilities that are subject to security plans. This, in turn, reduces vulnerabilities at our ports and bolsters national security.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, if the port congestion and vessel backlogs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it is the importance of a resilient supply chain.

H.R. 252, the Secure Our Ports Act, works to minimize interference in U.S. ports from foreign adversaries. In order to ensure the free flow of cargo into and out of our country, we must ensure full control over and investment in our ports.

I am proud to have voted in support of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which provided $2.5 billion of investment in port infrastructure.

We all now understand the importance of a strong resilient supply chain, and this bill is a step in the right direction.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure robust funding for the maritime industry. For this reason, I will vote ``yes'' on H.R. 252.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, to close, I support H.R. 252 and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.