WASHINGTON — Under persistent fire in recent weeks for secrecy and failing to communicate with lawmakers, President Bush now faces a stern political test -- quelling a Republican revolt over his decision to allow an Arab company to manage terminals at six major U.S. ports.
The White House failed Wednesday to placate its Republican critics, who pressed ahead with legislative plans to delay -- and perhaps thwart -- the port deal. Their efforts are a direct affront to Bush's vow to veto such a measure and a sharp departure from the unity that has typified relations between the administration and GOP congressional leaders.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday February 24, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 2 inches; 97 words Type of Material: Correction
Port security -- An article in Thursday's Section A on security fears raised by Dubai Ports World's bid to buy Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. incorrectly said the Arab company would be taking over the operation of cargo terminals at six U.S. ports. The Port of New York and New Jersey was incorrectly listed as two separate ports. At the Port of New York and New Jersey, P&O operates a cargo terminal in Newark, N.J., and a cruise ship terminal in Manhattan. P&O operates cargo terminals at four other ports on the East and Gulf coasts.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan, in defending the deal Wednesday, disclosed that Bush had learned of it only in the past "several days" from media reports. At that point, representatives of several Cabinet offices already had approved the transaction, as required by U.S. law.
McClellan said Bush had reviewed the matter and agreed that the deal involving a state-owned company in Dubai -- part of the United Arab Emirates -- would not jeopardize U.S. security interests.
But a number of lawmakers said the White House had underestimated public reaction to the deal, particularly given the emphasis Bush and his aides had placed on his vigilance in confronting the terrorism threat.
"This thing hit a fever pitch in my district," Rep. Mary Bono (R-Palm Springs) said. "To my constituents, when we're trying so hard to secure our borders and secure our ports, and then to hear this -- there's just a lot of concern that we're two steps forward, three steps backward."
Of Bush's threat to veto any bill delaying the port deal until its security implications could be examined more closely, she said, "The American people and the Congress are against him on this."
Other Republicans, pushing for a vote as early as next week on postponing the deal, emphasized that they would seek to override what would be the first veto of Bush's presidency.
"I will fight harder than ever for this legislation, and if it is vetoed, I will fight as hard as I can to override it," said Rep. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
In the Senate, the Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on the issue today, the first of several planned on Capitol Hill in the coming days.
