After introducing the “Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorists Attacks Act” at the end of last week, U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Fla., was able to get the proposal through the U.S. Homeland Security Committee this week.
“This bill will extend the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) authority to ensure that regulatory standards dictating the practices of chemical facilities are reauthorized,” Lee’s office noted.
The congresswoman weighed in on the proposal after the committee passed it.
“The CFATS program identifies and regulates high-risk chemical facilities across the U.S. to ensure they have security measures in place to reduce the risks associated with certain chemicals and terrorist threats posed by foreign actors,” said Lee. “My bill will ensure that the CFATS program remains authorized so that Department of Homeland Security Officials can continue working with these facilities to keep our communities safe.”
“With cyberattacks on the rise, collaboration between industry leaders and the Department of Homeland Security has never been more important,” she added.
The bill was also sent to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., is co-sponsoring the bill. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate.
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