U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), dean of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation and co-sponsor of the National Defense Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2006, issued the following statement after Dubai Ports World's announcement that it would sell its holdings of a subsidiary involved in managing six American ports: 

"I am encouraged by Dubai Ports (DP) World’s announcement that it will turn over its holdings of US ports to an American company and look forward to learning the exact details of this transaction," said Smith, a senior member of the House International Relations Committee. "Moving forward, it is essential that we adopt legislation and reform our laws so that we enhance the safety and security of our ports and other critical infrastructure. The National Defense Critical Infrastructure Protection Act does just that."

"We must always remember that we are engaged in a Global War on Terror," Smith said. "The events on 9/11 showed us must never relent when it comes to protecting ourselves from those who want to do America harm." 

The National Defense Critical Infrastructure Protection Act would:

Protect Critical Infrastructure by:

• Creating citizenship requirements for companies that own or operate critical infrastructure by requiring that the corporations be majority-owned by American citizens.
  
• Requiring that the management and/or the majority of the board of directors of corporations that operate critical infrastructure be US citizens and mandating that the Secretary of Defense approve the independent directors and the members of a government security committee of the board of directors.
  
• Requiring the Secretary of Defense to jointly coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare and maintain a national defense critical infrastructure list.

Reform the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Process by:

• Mandating that a forty-five day investigation occurs following transactions that could have an effect on national security.
  
• Requiring that the potential impacts of the transaction on homeland security, control of critical infrastructure and secure access to strategic natural resources be considered and reviewed during the CFIUS process.
  
• Creating regulations that mandate written notification to the Administration of any merger, acquisition or takeover that may be subject to CFIUS review or investigation.

Ensure Port Security by:

• Mandating a one-hundred percent inspection of imported cargo.
  
• Requiring that an officer or employee of Border and Transportation Security or another employee of the United States inspect all cargo coming into the United States.