Austin News

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) have successfully passed the Cranes of Concern at our Ports (CCP) Act, which aims to address the security risks posed by Chinese cranes at U.S. ports. The bill, now signed into law as part of the Intelligence Authorization Act included in the National Defense Authorization Act, requires the federal government to evaluate the threats posed by cranes manufactured in countries of concern, particularly those made by China's Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC).

Sen. Cornyn highlighted the importance of protecting American ports, stating, "America's ports are vital to our economy, national security, and international trade, and we must ensure they're protected from possible Chinese surveillance or interference." He expressed his pride in seeing the bill pass and emphasized the need for the federal government to confront this growing threat and assess the risks of Chinese-made cranes at ports in Texas and along the coasts.

Sen. Heinrich emphasized the significance of efficient port operations in delivering essential goods to the public, stating, "Whether it's your stock of canned goods or toilet paper, making sure supplies are moving efficiently through our ports matters." He expressed confidence in the bipartisan legislation, which will provide the intelligence and defense community with the necessary resources to ensure that ports can continue to deliver the goods that people rely on.

The CCP Act addresses the concerns surrounding Chinese-made cranes operating at American ports, including those used by the military. These cranes have the potential to enable Beijing to engage in surveillance and disrupt U.S. port operations. Under the new law, the Director of National Intelligence and Secretary of Defense are required to conduct an assessment of the threats posed by cranes manufactured by countries of concern and commercial entities associated with those countries, including ZPMC. These evaluations will focus on the potential for intelligence collection, operational disruptions, and their impact on national security.

With the CCP Act now in effect, the U.S. government is taking concrete steps to safeguard the integrity and security of its ports. By evaluating the risks posed by Chinese-made cranes, the legislation ensures that appropriate measures can be implemented to protect the nation's economy, national security, and international trade.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-heinrich-bill-to-confront-security-risks-from-chinese-cranes-at-u-s-ports-signed-into-law/