The Port of Houston is one of three-dozen ports from Maine to Texas that are now shut down by a dock workers' strike. At midnight Monday night, thousands of members of the International Longshoremen's Association went on strike over a contract dispute with the United States Maritime Association. The union's first strike since 1977 could harm the U.S. economy by driving up prices, disrupting the supply chain, and bringing truckers to a halt. If it goes on long enough, the strike may affect next month's elections.