Extend Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program

Floor Speech

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Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the extension of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program.

The CFATS program, first authorized in 2006, is a continuation of congressional efforts since September 11 to protect the homeland. The program surgically and directly addresses gaps in Federal law regarding the security of high-risk facilities that use or possess chemicals of concern at levels of concern.

The program is unique in that, to avoid overlapping with other Federal programs, CFATS was designed to foster collaboration between the government and regulated parties.

CFATS is a security program. Regrettably, over the years, some have tried to make CFATS a safety program, but safety and security are two very different things. Security is about protecting your ability to operate, and safety is about controlling how you operate. We should continue to preserve the program's focus on security.

Finally, it is imperative that, going forward, we find a way to extend the life of the program for a longer period of time, at least 5 years, in order to give the program, its personnel, and the participants the consistency they all need to be successful in their mission.

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