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July 28, 2023

Thompson Blames Senate and Congressional Republicans for Expiration of Chemical Security Counterterrorism Program

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement blaming the Senate and Congressional Republicans for the critical Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program lapsing at midnight last night, ceasing all regulatory functions of the program until at least September, possibly longer.

“It is reprehensible that the Senate is leaving town without extending the authorization for our nation’s one and only Federal chemical security regulation – not to mention one that enjoys broad bipartisan and industry support and passed the House 409 to 1 earlier this week. House Republicans – with their almost exclusive focus on border security to the detriment of homeland security – deserve blame here too.

“Instead of moving legislation at the last possible minute, House Republicans could have acted months ago to conduct oversight, hold hearings, and advance must-pass legislation to reauthorize CFATS operations, as Republican and Democratic majorities have done so in the past. Homeland Security Chairman Green and Committee Republicans simply did not leave adequate time to get this done. Instead of taking timely action to get the program on a path to reauthorization, they spent the last 6 months holding a dozen politically charged hearings on the border and plotting to impeach Secretary Mayorkas.  As authorizers we have a responsibility to get reauthorizations done to not disrupt our security and create uncertainty within the private sector.

“Make no mistake, our Committee leadership’s prioritization of the extreme MAGA agenda over all else put us here. Now, this program is thrust into uncertainty and cannot operate until September, at the earliest. This makes America less safe, as chemical facilities won’t be required to maintain security measures for high-risk chemical plants. It also means DHS won’t be able to provide terrorist vetting services for chemical facility employees, contractors, or other individuals with access to dangerous chemicals. This is a shame and a completely unforced error.”

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