GOP House requests details from Homeland Security Chief on Chinese tech at US ports.

House Republicans Demand Action on Chinese Threats to U.S. Port Infrastructure

House Republicans are ramping up pressure on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to U.S. port infrastructure. Lawmakers are demanding information on what the Biden administration is doing to prevent the CCP from using technology produced by Chinese companies, such as Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC), which makes about 80% of the cranes used in American seaports, to spy on and sabotage the United States.

Legislators Call for Oversight of Chinese Technology in U.S. Ports

Two chairs of House committees and four chairs of House subcommittees signed a letter on May 10, insisting that Mayorkas provide information requested in a letter sent on April 23. The legislators are conducting oversight of the presence of Chinese software and operational technology in U.S. port infrastructure, including software used for cranes, terminal industrial control systems, power systems, and telecommunications equipment.

• Mark Green (Tenn.), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security
• Mike Gallagher (Wis.), Chairman of the Select Committee on China
• Carlos Gimenez (Fla.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security
• Andrew Garbarino (N.Y.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection
• Dan Bishop (N.C.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability
• August Pfluger (Texas), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence

Bill Introduced to Inspect and Monitor Chinese-Made Port Cranes

Representatives Carlos A. Giménez (R-Fla.) and John Garamendi (D-Calif.) introduced a bill on May 10 that focuses on inspecting and monitoring port cranes made in China to ensure they do not contain technology used to spy, create societal disorder, inflict physical damage, and disrupt the function of seaports, which are critically important to the U.S. supply chain.

The legislators remain concerned about the security risks associated with the widespread use of Chinese-manufactured cranes that threaten to undermine national security. They request additional information on the prevalence of such equipment and technology at U.S. ports and DHS actions to address the potential national security threats posed by the CCP’s use of this technology in U.S. port infrastructure.

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