Lawmakers laud CFATS extension

A group of lawmakers are espousing the benefits of extending the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program for three years, noting the action secures chemical facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), Tom Carper (D-DE) and other Senate colleagues introduced the measure to strengthen national security, adding the CFATS program ensures facilities holding high-risk chemicals have security measures in place to reduce the risk of chemicals being stolen or weaponized by terrorists.

“As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am focused on protecting our national security and doing everything we can to prevent terrorist attacks in the United States using dangerous chemicals,” Peters said. “I was proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to prevent this vital anti-terrorism program from expiring. While there is still work to be done to ensure this program is as effective as possible, this extension ensures that this vital program can continue to help secure American facilities from terrorists.”

Lankford said the law serves as a tool to protect Americans against a terrorist attack.

“This reauthorization protects companies that produce or store chemicals by allowing them to partner with federal agencies to help them identify any possible vulnerabilities of their facilities and develop a site security plan,” Lankford, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said.