Bill Pascrell: “there are approximately 70,000 different chemicals that have been defined. Fifteen to 20 of them could be lethal, are…”

“there are approximately 70,000 different chemicals that have been defined. Fifteen to 20 of them could be lethal, are lethal, toxic, and in this two-mile stretch that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) has brought to our attention, these are the most dangerous two miles in America. The chemical plants, the oil storage tanks, the refineries, and critical infrastructure systems are targets. In fact, if there is a terrorist attack in this area, it could pose a terribly lethal threat to 12 million people. That is within a 14-mile radius. This is serious business, and we on the Committee on Homeland Security look at this seriously on both sides of the aisle. So through the ranking member and the chairman, we have their commitment that we will work this out, because I know that my colleagues understand the seriousness of this area. And since we are in the business of risk, the problem of risk and taking that into regard with our formula, then I think that this certainly reaches the top of the priority. {time} 1515”