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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Donald Beyer (D-VA) and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) reintroduced the Protecting Data at the Border Act, which would require law enforcement to obtain a warrant before searching an American’s laptop and phone at a port of entry. The reintroduction comes on the heels of several high-profile stories of Customs and BorderPatrol agents searching travelers’ phones and electronics, denying them entry in some cases. These instances highlight the fact that even Americans can be subjected to warrantless searches at ports of entry. The bill was first introduced in the 116^thCongress and has been reintroduced every Congress since.

“No American should have to give up their right to privacy just because they’re traveling,” said Rep. Lieu. “Americans have a constitutional right to privacy enshrined by the Fourth Amendment. Searching someone’s phone gives an agent access to everything from pictures to texts to bank accounts to location data to medical information.  The Founders could never imagine the information that a cellphone holds, but they had enough sense to safeguard us from unreasonable and invasive searches. Our bill serves to make clear that the government does not possess the right to indiscriminately search phones and laptops of Americans without due process and adequate cause.” 

“Potential civil liberties violations at ports of entry have long been a concern, but with a lawless, authoritarian President allowing major intrusions into Americans’ privacy and personal data, there is heightened urgency for Congress to address this issue”” said Rep. Beyer. “The Protect Data at the Border Act would protect Americans’ constitutional rights and prevent unnecessary, invasive searches. Everyone should support this badly needed reform.” 

“The Fourth Amendment protects Americans against unreasonable searches but unfortunately searches at the border fall under an exception that allows law enforcement to search electronic devices, even those of American citizens, without a warrant,” Rep. Norton said. “The Supreme Court has held that police generally need a warrant to search cell phones. Americans should enjoy this protection against warrantless search by American law enforcement at the border as well. My constituents have opened cases about this issue with my office, and as a former assistant legal director for the ACLU, I know the importance of strong defenses for our civil liberties, including protections against unreasonable searches.” 

“The Protecting Data at the Border Act upholds the fundamental rights of Americans and will restrict the Trump administration’s unchecked power to rifle through the personal data of millions of Americans without due process,” said Rep. Espaillat. “We must uphold the Fourth Amendment and protect vulnerable communities against unreasonable searches and seizures. We will not tolerate the Trump administration’s dangerous precedent to compromise Americans’ privacy and stand united to ensure that no citizen should ever have to forfeit their constitutional rights simply because they are crossing a border.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Today, U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02) and Jared Huffman (CA-02) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) reintroduced the bicameral IDEA Full Funding Act to ensure all children with disabilities can access a free, high-quality public education.In 1975, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) to provide these essential educational opportunities, and this legislation ensures that Congress fulfills its commitment.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Frederica S Wilson (24th District of Florida)

Miami, Fla.— On Wednesday, March 26, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) held a tele-town hall with national experts to discuss the White House’s executive orders, recent Republican actions, and the resulting concerns across the nation. Don Lemon, host of “The Don Lemon Show,” served as moderator. Panelists included  Arne Duncan, Former Secretary of Education; Marc Elias, Founder of Democracy Docket and Firm Chair of Elias Law Group; Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works; and Sui Chung, Executive Director of Americans for Immigrant Justice.

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson said, “Republicans have gone after Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, public education, our immigrant community, and so much more. People are afraid and want answers. We must meet this moment. Democrats are fighting back, and unity is our strength right now. We need folks to let Republicans know how furious they are. Only by keeping the pressure high, that’s how we will protect our democracy.”

Over 60,000 people tuned in to the event via their phones, the Congresswoman’s Facebook page, YouTube, and Website.

Don Lemon, host of The Don Lemon Show, said “I believe that we are at a constitutional crisis. I believe we are rapidly heading towards dictatorship, autocracy, and we don’t want to go there.”

Former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, said, “This is not an R versus D issue. This is not left versus right. This is unprecedented in our nation’s history. Dismantling the Department of Education, attacking public education, starting to attack institutions of higher educations, our colleges and universities, is an entirely new phenomenon we have never seen.”

A listener asked Secretary Duncan what would happen to the student loan system and Secretary Duncan responded, “When I led the Department of Education, my biggest concern every night going home was the operational risk around grants and loans—literally trillions of dollars for millions of students. And what they have done is they have gutted that department—the Department of Federal Student Aid—and, with them moving that over to SBA, it has no knowledge or expertise on this. The chance for a catastrophic operational failure as we go back to college in the fall is extraordinarily high.”

Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket and Firm Chair of Elias Law Group, said,

“Congress has the right to pass laws. Donald Trump does not have the right and ability to change them. And we will litigate against him every step of the way.”

The Elias Law Group is litigating multiple cases against President Trump and Republicans.

Elias added, “Most recently, he has started targeting law firms: Basically, law firms and individual lawyers who have stood up to him. He has named me in several of his executive orders and in memoranda hoping to intimidate me and others from continuing to litigate him against him in court. The reason he’s doing that is because he is losing those court cases.” 

Former Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Chiquita Brooks-LaSure,  said,  “We now have over 100 million people covered by Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act tax credits. And what are the first couple of things this new administration has talked about doing? Cutting healthcare programs by $880 billion dollars to pay for a tax cut.” “Medicaid supports so many people: children who have high needs; it supports so many middle-class families who can’t afford long-term care or care  for their elderly parents or relatives. Medicaid is  the one program providing that coverage in this country. Taking away $880 billion will hurt families, the economy, workers, and hospitals.”

She added, “Florida specifically is extremely dependent on Medicaid. Republican governors from states across the country have signaled that they too, are  concerned about cutting the Medicaid program. There is no way to come up with that level of cuts without going after healthcare.”

Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works  said, “It is not exaggeration to say that in the last few weeks, the Social Security Administration has lost nearly a thousand years of institutional knowledge.”

One listener asked whether they will be able to receive their Social Security benefits in two years. Ms. Altman’s response: “Before January 20, I would have said 100 percent. Absolutely. I guarantee it. It’s never missed a payment in those 90 years. The problem now is that they’ve gutted the agency. Although there’s a certain amount of automation to those benefits if you’re already receiving them, it is a legacy system and it has to be maintained. Just in the last week or so, the system’s crashed several times and that’s what the real danger is.”

She urged the public to take actions, noting that close to 73 million Americans rely on Social Security. “Everyone needs to stay alert, raise their voices, and demand accountability,” she said. “Tell your members of Congress to do their jobs and protect Social Security. Even MAGA voters don’t want to see these benefits cuts.”

“We should all be proud of our immigrant history, whether you’re U.S.-born or not,” Sui Chung, Executive Director of Americans for Immigrant Justice, said. “The concept of prosecutorial discretion has really been undone by the current administration. If  you are encountered by ICE, even if you have no criminal record, you will be an enforcement priority if you cannot demonstrate that you have current status at this time.”

Multiple immigration organizations, including Americans for Immigrant Justice have formed a coalition called RAISE, a rapid response hotline for immigrants at risk of detention or deportation.

If any communities are facing an ICE raid and need assistance, please call RAISE’s hotline at 1-888-600-5762 or visit their website for immigration resources at www.Raise.is.

The event opened with  remarks from Congresswoman Wilson, followed by remarks from Don Lemon and the  experts panel, each of whom discussed different aspects of the administration’s executive actions and Congressional Republicans’ actions. The remainder of the event was dedicated to audience questions for Congresswoman Wilson and the panelists.

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson also urged listeners to call Republican members of Congress, Republican Senators, and the White House.

For the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Switchboard, call (202) 224-3121.

For the White House Comment Line, call 202-456-1111.

Follow the tele-town hall special guest on social media at @DonLemonOfficial, @ArneDuncan, @AmericansForImmigrantJustice, @MarcEElias, @DemocracyDocket, @SocialSecurityWorks, @Century_Foundation, and @TCFdotorg.

“The Don Lemon Show” is also available live Monday through Friday at 10 AM and 5 PM EST on YouTube and other podcast streaming services @TheDonLemonShow.

For the full video link to the tele-town hall, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Darren Soto (FL-9) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced critical bipartisan legislation, the Florida Coastal Protection Act, to permanently prohibit oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production off Florida’s coast.  

“Florida is a special but fragile place, and our way of life depends on clean water. Dangerous offshore drilling can devastate both our environment and our economy, posing huge risks to everything that makes Florida special. Our Florida coasts are beloved by people across the globe. Tourism and fishing are the lifeblood of our coastal economy in the Sunshine State, so we must ensure our water, beaches, and wildlife in the Eastern Gulf are sustained, said Rep. Castor. “Together we can permanently protect these waters, our planet, our pocketbooks and our people from costly oil disasters and pollution.”

“While I support responsible investments in American energy, we must also recognize the unique importance of protecting Florida’s coastline,” said Rep. Buchanan. “The Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 showed just how devastating an offshore spill can be to our economy, environment and way of life. As co-chair of the bipartisan Florida congressional delegation, I remain committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to safeguard our state’s beautiful beaches and coastal waters.”

“Florida’s coastline is more than a beautiful backdrop—it’s a vital part of who we are. Our beaches and marine ecosystems support hundreds of thousands of jobs, drive tourism, sustain our fishing industries, and provide a home to some of the most unique and fragile wildlife in the world,” said Rep. Darren Soto. “Offshore drilling puts all of that at risk. One spill could devastate our economy and irreparably damage ecosystems that took generations to build. This bipartisan legislation reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding our waters—not just for today, but for every generation that comes after us. Floridians deserve clean beaches, thriving marine life, and a resilient coastal economy—and that starts with keeping oil rigs off our shores for good.”

“We’ve seen the long-lasting harm that can come from oil spills including: damage to the environment, disruption to marine life, and the paralysis of local economies that depend heavily on fishing, tourism, and recreation,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “Protecting Florida’s pristine coastline from future oil spills is crucial for preserving its unique ecosystems.  Ensuring the health of the coastline will safeguard not only the environment but also the livelihoods of communities that rely on its natural beauty and resources.”

Endorsing organizations of the Florida Coastal Protection Act include Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, League of Conservation Voters, Environment America, Surfrider Foundation, Turtle Island Restoration Network, Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club, Lee (MA) Greener Gateway Committee, South Shore Audubon Society (Freeport, NY), Sierra Club, and The CLEO Institute.

Read the full text of the bill.

“Oceana applauds Rep. Castor and Rep. Buchanan for advancing the bipartisan tradition of protecting Florida’s coasts,” said Oceana Campaign Director Joseph Gordon. “Oil spills can be economically devastating for communities that rely on clean oceans and healthy wildlife. This visionary bill will forever secure Florida’s treasured coastlines from the threat of offshore oil drilling, protecting an essential way of life for millions of people who call the Sunshine State home – and millions more who visit its shores every year.”

“This important legislation will protect Florida’s environment, economy, climate, and way of life from the harmful effects of offshore oil and gas development,” said Katie Bauman, Florida Policy Manager of the Surfrider Foundation. “The Surfrider Foundation urges members of Congress to support the Florida Coastal Protection Act and other bills to permanently prohibit new offshore drilling in U.S. waters.”

Yoca Arditi-Rocha, Executive Director of The CLEO Institute added, “As a state where our clean beaches are a central driver of our tourism economy, The Florida Coastal Protection Act is essential to protecting the people and places we love. We can avoid using dirty and dangerous fuels by transitioning to clean electric vehicles and investing in public transportation. This is how we guarantee clean water and air for all.

“Florida’s beaches, bottlenose dolphins and manatees are too important to risk for more oil, but we’ve seen repeatedly that when we drill, we spill,” said Lisa Frank, Executive Director of Environment America. The Florida Coastal Protection Act would conserve our waters and wildlife for generations to come by keeping offshore drilling out of Florida’s waters. Congress should pass this bill immediately and send it to President Trump’s desk.”

“The barrier islands, white sandy beaches and coastal marshes surrounding Florida’s shoreline provide necessary habitat for iconic reef fish, extensive shorebird populations, sea turtles and marine mammals like the Florida manatee,” said Ben Prater, Southeast Program Director for Defenders of Wildlife. “This legislation will protect Florida’s coasts from the known, concrete risks of offshore drilling while moving to ensure a safer future for the endangered and imperiled coastal wildlife that call the state home.”

“Permanently protecting Florida’s pristine Gulf coast from the threats of offshore drilling has had resounding support for years, regardless of political party,” said Earthjustice senior legislative representative Laura M. Esquivel. “From their robust tourism sector to their vital sustainable fishing industry, Floridians cherish the Gulf and want it free of toxic oil and gas. This bipartisan bill is proof that safeguarding a brighter future for Florida’s Gulf coast is within reach, and that Representatives Castor, Soto, Buchanan, and Bilirakis can make it happen.”

“For decades, Floridians—Democrats and Republicans alike—have stood united against offshore drilling, knowing it threatens the state’s tourism-driven economy, coastal communities, and way of life. The Florida Coastal Protection Act reflects this long-standing bipartisan opposition by ensuring that our beaches, fisheries, and marine ecosystems are not put at risk for the sake of short-term fossil fuel profits. Healthy Gulf supports efforts to secure permanent protections for Florida’s waters, and we urge Congress to uphold the will of the people by passing this vital legislation,” said Martha Collins, Executive Director for Healthy Gulf.

“Protecting Florida’s waters puts coastal communities and wildlife above polluters and brings us closer to a world where our waters are free from oil spills, endangered whale populations are free from seismic blasting, and local economies can thrive,” said Taryn Kiekow Heimer, Director of Ocean Energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Now more than ever, we need leadership from Congress to protect our oceans from an industry that only cares about its bottom line – and a Trump administration willing to do anything to give those oil billionaires what they want.”

“Our coasts are a source of life, livelihood, and recreation for coastal communities and the millions of visitors they see every year,” said Athan Manuel, Director of Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program. “They also support untold diverse wildlife and ecosystems that are put at risk by exploitation from the oil and gas industry. This bill provides much-needed critical protections for the health of our coastal communities and to ensure that future generations will get to enjoy the wonders of our oceans and beaches.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Each year, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors the Congressional Art Competition for high school students. This competition is an exciting way for a student from our region to represent the Ninth Congressional District in Washington. The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in the Ninth District.

The chosen theme for 2025 is “Commemorating Virginia’s Contribution to the American Revolution.” Interested students must submit a photograph of their original artwork to either my Christiansburg or Abingdon office by 5:00 pm on Monday, April 28 for consideration. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed student information release form to qualify. The 2025 student information release form can be found at the bottom of this page.

The overall winner of our district’s competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol and will be invited to Washington for a reception. The second and third place selections will be displayed in my Christiansburg and Abingdon offices.

Art works entered in the contest may be up to 26 inches by 26 inches (including the frame) and may be up to 4 inches in depth. Artwork must be two-dimensional and cannot weigh more than 15 pounds. The work may be:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
• Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed)
• Collages: must be two dimensional
• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
• Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
• Computer-generated art
• Photographs

All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents.  Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

Rishi Nair of Blacksburg High School won the 2024 Congressional Art Competition in Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District. His artwork is entitled ‘Mabry Mill.’

If you would like more information on the annual Congressional Art Competition, please contact my Abingdon office at (276) 525-1405 or visit the Congressional Art Competition website.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Reps. Carbajal, Brownley, Panetta Demand the Trump Administration Halt its Illegal Plans to Close Facilities Vital to the Central Coast

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35) to reintroduce the Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act. This bipartisan bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide resources for nitrate and arsenic reduction, with priority given to assisting underserved communities.

“Access to clean drinking water is essential for the health and well-being of every American—especially in rural and underserved communities like the Central Valley,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bipartisan bill gives rural communities that rely on groundwater the resources they need to reduce harmful contaminants and ensure our water supply is safe. I’m proud to join Rep. Torres to help our small towns throughout the Valley fix this ongoing issue.”

“This is a public health emergency in the Inland Empire and across the country. The contamination of our water supply with nitrate and arsenic is a direct threat to the health and safety of my constituents,” said Rep. Torres. “I’m committed to securing the resources needed to address this crisis, especially for the most vulnerable—infants, pregnant women, and individuals with enzyme deficiencies. The Inland Empire, particularly former agricultural areas, faces some of the worst contamination levels in the state, and we cannot wait any longer to ensure we make clean drinking water accessible for everyone.”

Background:

Larger towns and cities tend to depend on surface water for drinking, whereas smaller, often rural, communities depend on groundwater. Historically, agricultural heavy areas have led to increased nitrate in drinking and groundwater, including many communities throughout the Central Valley. The Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act aims to make additional federal resources available for small, rural communities to reach compliance with the maximum contaminant level of nitrate or arsenic under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act would:

• Amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide grants for nitrate and arsenic reduction.
• Authorize $15 million for FY26 and every fiscal year after.
• Direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a review on programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act, taking into consideration the diverse needs of underserved populations.

Current supporting organizations include: Three Valleys Municipal Water District, Coachella Valley Water District, West Valley Water District, Cucamonga Valley Water District, and Elsinore Valley.

Read the full bill here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) to re-introduce the Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act. This bipartisan legislation would allow the U.S. Forest Service to approve the removal of hazardous trees near power lines on federal forest lands without requiring a timber sale, easing a serious threat that has in the past been a major cause of destructive wildfires.

“Far too often bureaucratic red tape gets in the way of proper forest management, contributing to the destructive wildfires we see throughout our state,” said Congressman Valadao. “When dead trees aren’t cleared, wildfires burn more intensely, causing widespread devastation and directly impacting air quality across the Central Valley. This bill is a common sense, bipartisan step towards reducing wildfire risk, and I’m proud to join Congressman Carbajal in support.”

“As California continues to recover from catastrophic wildfires that ravaged the region earlier this year, we are reminded of the importance of responsible forest management to reduce future wildfire risk,” said Rep. Carbajal. “Our bipartisan bill will expedite the removal of hazardous trees near power lines and is a common sense solution to protect our communities.”

Background:

Currently, the Forest Service requires utility companies to keep trees and branches away from power lines on federal land. But fallen or dead trees cannot be cleared currently without a timber sale, creating an administrative step that can slow the clearing of hazardous fuel and potential triggers for wildfire on federal land.

This bill passed out of the House Committee on Natural Resources and was included in the House version of the Farm Bill in the 118th Congress. It was added to the Fix Our Forests Act in the 119th Congress.

The Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act would:

• Allow the U.S. Forest Service to provide standing permission for electrical utilities to cut and remove hazardous trees near power lines on federal land without requiring a timber sale.
• Require any utility that sells marketable forest products from hazardous trees removed near power lines to return any proceeds to the Forest Service.

Read the full bill here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), and Lucy McBath (GA-06) today sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, expressing deep concern about staff and budget cuts to programs that support survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families. They also requested an explanation into the Administration’s decision to fire Shawndell Dawson, the Director of the Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS), along with thousands of federal employees whose work focuses on preventing gender-based violence and informing violence prevention efforts.

“The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) program, under the HHS Administration for Children and Families (ACF), is the only federal funding source dedicated to domestic violence and sexual assault shelters and programs and is the cornerstone of our nation’s efforts to address domestic and sexual violence,” the lawmakers wrote. “It supports lifesaving services including emergency shelters, counseling, and crisis hotlines- including the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which has provided comprehensive, often lifesaving support for over 7 million contacts. There are approximately 2,000 FVSPA-funded community-based domestic violence programs and over 240 tribes and tribal organizations for victims and their children. FVPSA also supports a children’s services program that allows communities to receive targeted training and funding to meet the specific and unique needs of children coping with the impacts of domestic violence.”

“On March 31st, Shawndell Dawson, the Director of the Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS), responsible for administering FVPSA, was placed on administrative leave, leaving OFVPS without the leadership and expertise of someone with more than 28 years of experience in supporting survivors and their families,” the lawmakers continued. “OFVPS plays a unique role in domestic and sexual violence response and prevention, and requires an office dedicated solely to this unique role, led by someone with appropriate expertise. We request your swift response to explain the grounds for this action, and what your plan is to reinstate Director Dawson and limit the negative impact on the Office’s ability to administer FVPSA. We would also like to request a meeting with Katherine Chon, who is currently overseeing the OFVPS.”

“We are also concerned over reports that thousands of federal employees at the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were subject to a reduction in force, including those in the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. The Injury Center administers the Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) and the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliance (DELTA) grants, which are the only federal funds dedicated to the primary prevention of domestic and sexual based violence,” the lawmakers concluded. “The center also administers the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, which collects comprehensive data that informs both public health response and violence prevention efforts. These critical programs are evidence based, successful, and require adequate staffing at the CDC to help local grantees to implement their work. We ask that you immediately rescind the reduction in force for these important initiatives, and explain how you will ensure that these programs continue to operate effectively. We would also like to request the contact information for the official who is currently overseeing the CDC Injury Center.”

The Members requested a response to their letter by April 30, 2025. 

View the full text of the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously approved the Secure Our Ports Act of 2025, H.R. 252, which was introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) earlier this year. H.R. 252 will strengthen our national security by prohibiting certain foreign entities, including state-owned enterprises of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, from entering into contracts for the ownership, leasing, or operation of U.S. port facilities that are subject to security plans.

“I want to thank my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as Chairman Sam Graves (MO-6) for advancing the Secure Our Ports Act and taking an important step in protecting our critically important ports facilities,” said Rep. Calvert. “America’s ports are essential gateways for trade and commerce. We cannot jeopardize our national security by allowing foreign adversaries, like China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, to own and operate port infrastructure.”

“The Secure Our Ports Act introduced by Congressman Calvert will strengthen our supply chain and limit the potential for Chinese, Russian, North Korean, and Iranian influence at U.S. ports,” said Chairman Graves.

 

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