Henrico Times

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Congressman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL-28), and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Strategic Ports Reporting Act. The proposed legislation mandates the U.S. Department of Defense to draft an interagency strategy report aimed at countering the Chinese Communist Party’s expanding military and economic influence through its global maritime network.

“As China continues its military aggression in the Indo-Pacific and expands its economic influence across the globe, it is more important than ever that the United States has a plan to counter China’s investments in strategic foreign ports while ensuring resilience of U.S.-aligned ports,” said Rep. Wittman. “I’m proud to introduce the Strategic Ports Reporting Act, which will take critical steps toward ensuring America’s national security and economic interests as the Chinese Communist Party works to broaden its global dominance both economically and militarily.”

Currently, multiple Chinese companies possess ownership shares in key ports within the United States and globally. This investment poses a significant risk to national security interests, affecting America's access to trade, global supply chains, and overall maneuverability in the maritime domain.

“As the former Mayor of Miami-Dade County, home to the cruise capital of the world, I understand firsthand how critical our ports are to the economy and national security of the United States,” said Rep. Gimenez. “The Chinese Communist Party continues to be the most significant threat the United States faces on the world stage and must be contained. The U.S. Department of Defense must take proper actions to defend our national security as threats from Communist China grow. I am proud to be introducing the Strategic Ports Reporting Act, which will counter the CCP’s expansion in our hemisphere.”

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Florida is home to many of our nation’s key ports,” said Sen. Rubio. “Our nation can’t allow Communist China to invest in geographically and economically strategic ports. We must prevent, at all costs, the chance for our adversaries to use our resources against us.”

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