Frank Lautenberg: “I rise to discuss one provision of the fiscal year 2008 Omnibus appropriations bill which is of great importance to the…”

“I rise to discuss one provision of the fiscal year 2008 Omnibus appropriations bill which is of great importance to the security of our nation, and of particular importance to my State of New Jersey. That is Section 534, which will overturn the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to preempt the rights of State and local governments to adopt chemical security protections stronger than the standards adopted by the Federal Government. The effort by DHS to prevent States from going beyond the measures adopted by DHS to protect their residents from terrorist attacks on chemical facilities was never authorized by Congress, and the inclusion of my provision overturning the Department's effort represents a strong rejection by Congress of the Department's attempt to do so. Opposition to the Department's efforts has been widespread and bipartisan, including from the National Governor's Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Chairmen of the 9/11 Commission, Representative Lee Hamilton and former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean. Nevertheless, DHS continues to insist that its partnership with industry rather than a partnership with States--will be sufficient to protect the American public. By including this provision in the omnibus bill, Congress is making clear that the role of State and local governments is not to be undermined by the Department of Homeland Security.”