Washington, Mar 8 -

Western North Carolina Representative Charles Taylor will this afternoon support language to prohibit a company owned by the United Arab Emirates’ government from taking over operations at six U.S. ports. The language, to be offered as an amendment by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA), will be attached to a supplemental spending bill providing additional funds for the War on Terror and Hurricane Katrina recovery.

“This deal to give away control of our nation’s port security is dead in the water,” said Taylor. “Bureaucrats in Washington are welcome to debate it until they’re blue in the face. But we on the Appropriations Committee are taking action right now to make sure America’s ports are in the hands of Americans.”

The amendment language would prohibit any federal funds from being used to carry out the terms of the agreement with Dubai Ports World, and prohibits the agreement itself under federal law. Although the proposed ports deal is presently on hold pending a 45-day review of its national security implications, President Bush has threatened to veto any legislation put forth by Congress to prohibit the agreement from moving forward.

Taylor stated: “The Administration is welcome to say what it will, but Congress does not answer to any President. We answer to the American people, and on this issue they have spoken out with a single voice: this deal must not happen. Congress fought the Clinton Administration in 1998 when it tried to hand over the Port of Long Beach to a Chinese government-owned company. We will continue to fight this irresponsible deal, veto or no veto.”

Once passed this afternoon by the House Appropriations Committee, the Fiscal Year 2006 Emergency Supplemental bill will be voted on by the full House. The U.S. Senate must then consider the legislation before it is sent to the President for his signature or veto.