Johnson, Thune bristle at Bush’s port plan

Looks like GOP Sen.John Thune and Donk Sen. Tim Johnson both have questions and concerns about the port deal.

South Dakota’s U.S. senators say they have major concerns about the pending sale of shipping operations at six major U.S. seaports to a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said he is very uncomfortable with what he knows about the deal and said Congress will hold hearings to find out more. “I don’t know all the facts pertaining to it yet, but based on what I know today, I’ve got major heartburn with it,” Thune said in Pierre Wednesday. “Quite frankly, I don’t think we ought to be moving forward with this until we know a whole lot more.”

Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., speaking turning a conference call Wednesday, said the United States must be in charge of its own destiny when it comes to securing ports. “I don’t think there are very many countries around the world that would want to put up their national security issues to the highest bidder,” Johnson said, “particularly if the highest bidder is going to be a foreign nation and one that has not exhibited the kind of response and support for us that we would like.”

Good for both of them!