State Assembly to Hear Port Concerns
A dispute over the pending takeover of major U.S. shipping terminals, including Port Newark in New Jersey, will be addressed February 27 by state lawmakers. The state Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee is to consider a resolution condemning the Bush administration's approval of a deal permitting a firm owned by the United Arab Emirates government from taking over operations at the northern New Jersey container terminal. The committee will also consider other resolutions demanding that President Bush reconsider and reverse the decision involving Dubai Ports World. The Bush administration has been assailed in Congress by Republicans and Democrats for permitting Dubai Ports World to assume port operations.
Lawmakers Push for Thorough Review
Last Monday, a $6.8 billion dollar deal put the operation and control of the major New York and New Jersey ports in the control of a firm in the United Arab Emirates and owned by the Government of Dubai, Dubai Ports World. Today, Senators Chuck Schumer, Tom Coburn, Frank Lautenberg, and Chris Dodd are being joined by Reps. Chris Shays, Vito Fossella and Mark Foley in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary John Snow urging him to review the deal immediately. The deal allows the UAE company to take control of most operations at six ports on the East Coast, including: New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.