Rogers Opening Statement at Hearing on Securing Chemical Facilities

WASHINGTON — House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) today delivered the following opening statement at a hearing on securing chemical facilities:

CFATS is a critical program aimed at keeping dangerous chemicals out of the hands of terrorists. In the past, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to reauthorize CFATS and make improvements to the program.

I hope the tradition of bipartisanship on this issue can continue, despite the actions taken by the majority today. CFATS has been a successful program because it gives industry flexibility to secure their facilities, with guidance from the Department of Homeland Security, based on each facility s unique risk and attributes.

Fortunately, we have a solid program that works well as a starting point. Only small tweaks are needed to make an already good program better. I believe that with a bipartisan, bicameral process we can quickly give stakeholders the certainty they need and move a long-term reauthorization of CFATS to the President s desk.

I hope the Chairman will join me in providing stability and certainty regarding chemical security and avoid taking actions, which would undermine enactment of a bipartisan, long-term reauthorization. I look forward to working collaboratively with the majority, the Senate, stakeholders and DHS to reauthorize the CFATS program.

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Contact: Nicole Hager
202-226-8417