WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to stop the threat of the Chinese Communist Party from expanding and establishing its global maritime network, Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio and Mark Kelly introduced the Strategic Ports Reporting Act that would require the U.S. Department of Defense to draft an interagency strategy report to proactively counter this growing threat. Currently, multiple Chinese companies possess ownership shares to key ports in the U.S. and around the world. This investment is a significant risk to our national security interests and to America’s access to trade, global supply chains, and overall maneuverability in the maritime domain.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Protecting the ports, seaports and infrastructure of the U.S., our allies and trading partners around the globe is critical to our economic independence, U.S. national security and the security of our allies. As our nation faces threats from adversaries around the world and Communist China continues its quest for global dominance, we must eliminate any ownership, influence, or access the Communist Chinese regime may have over our allies’ infrastructure and data that can be used against us. Our bill requires the Department of Defense to identify our most critical ports worldwide to ensure continued U.S. trade and military operations and develop a plan to keep them secure from our enemies. This overdue action is essential to protecting American trade and security.”

Senator Marco Rubio said, “Florida is home to many of our nation’s key ports. 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.”

Senator Mark Kelly said, “America has always been a seafaring nation, relying on trade to fuel our economy. This bill is critical to securing our ports overseas from Chinese influence that threatens our economy and our national security.”

U.S. Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA) will be introducing companion legislation in the House.

Congressman Rob Wittman said, “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. 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.”

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