Rep. Fossella Calls on Port Authority to Review Legal Options to Prevent United Arab Emirates from Gaining Control of American Ports

Fossella Reiterates Call for Congressional Hearings to Bring Transparency to Deal

[Washington, DC] – Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY13) today called on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to explore all legal options, including voiding the contract, to prevent a company owned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from gaining control of six major U.S. ports, including ones in New York City and New Jersey.

“In the week since this deal was first announced, the American people have not been given an information to justify why it is in our national security interest, Fossella said. “Without the information Congress needs to properly review the security implications, I am calling on the Port Authority to explore all legal options to prevent the UAE from assuming control of our ports. We cannot hand the keys to our strategic assets to a foreign government with a spotty record on terrorism. For all the billions of dollars we have spent to secure our homeland, we will be taking an immeasurable steps backwards by ceding control of six ports to a nation with demonstrated ties to terrorism. Unless and until information is made available to Congress and the American people, the Port Authority should move to secure its ports by rejecting this deal.”

Fossella also reiterated his call for the House Homeland Security Committee to hold hearings on the agreement. Fossella was the first House lawmaker to call for a Congressional review early last week.

“There has been no transparency to the process or any explanation to justify giving the UAE control of our ports,” Fossella said. “This agreement was made behind closed doors without Congressional oversight or public scrutiny. Congress and the American people deserve to know what factors were considered, the security implications and its impact on our safety. The American people need straight talk on this. Former Homeland Security Secretary Ridge agrees that the Administration has a responsibility to come forward and bring transparency to this process. I applaud Chairman King for his efforts on this issue and I look forward to working with him on shining a bright light on the deal.”

Back to Press Releases