SE North Carolina News

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, with the support of Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07), the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization Act, legislation to strengthen, support, and authorize funding for the United States Coast Guard.

The bipartisan bill includes an amendment sponsored by Rouzer to prohibit officials from countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism from participating in the International Port Security (IPS) Program overseen by the U.S. Coast Guard.  The IPS Program seeks to reduce risk to our maritime interests, including U.S. ports and ships, and to facilitate secure trade globally through reciprocal port visits.

In March, the Biden Administration's U.S. Department of Homeland Security and State hosted a delegation from Cuba's Border Guard and Ministry of Foreign Affairs at port facilities in Wilmington, North Carolina even though the U.S. State Department designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 2021.

"One would naturally assume countries that are designated as official State Sponsors of Terrorism would be excluded from the IPS Program, but this is not the case.  Last month a delegation of members of the Cuban government were given an official tour of the Port of Wilmington through the IPS Program — despite Cuba having such designation.  There is no reason Cuba, or any other state sponsor of terrorism, should be allowed to analyze sensitive coastal and maritime security protocols.  My amendment would prevent this, and I appreciate its bipartisan adoption by the Committee.”

Background:

In March, Rouzer spoke on the House Floor regarding the visit by Cuba’s Border Guard and Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the port facilities in Wilmington, North Carolina which was planned and authorized by President Biden's Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.

Original source can be found here.