During a recent government meeting, Congressman Jimenez presented an amendment to HR 3169, known as the Identifying Adversarial Threats at Our Ports Act, aimed at enhancing the security of U.S. maritime infrastructure. Jimenez emphasized the importance of safeguarding ports, which are critical to both the economy and national security, particularly against threats posed by foreign adversaries, notably China.
The legislation seeks to address vulnerabilities in port technology and equipment, specifically highlighting concerns over Chinese-manufactured ship-to-shore cranes operating in U.S. ports. Jimenez, who previously oversaw PortMiami, underscored the necessity of identifying and mitigating potential risks before adversaries can exploit them. He expressed gratitude for the support of fellow Congressman Garamendi and urged his colleagues to back the bill, framing it as a vital step in protecting supply chains and national security.
Following Jimenez's remarks, the committee discussed a technical amendment to the original proposal, which was also supported by Congressman Ivey, who acknowledged the importance of examining supply chain vulnerabilities further. The committee ultimately agreed to the amendments and recommended the bill for favorable consideration by the House.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous agreement on the amended bill, reflecting a bipartisan commitment to bolster the security of America's ports against potential threats.