Political Quotes

“I am here today to ask my colleagues to approve a bill to reform and reauthorize the Chemical Facility Anti- Terrorism Standards Program, commonly known as CFATS. This CFATS Program regulates chemical facilities to help prevent terrorists from carrying out an attack with dangerous chemicals--a worthy goal. However, since 2006, watchdogs have identified significant problems with the program. In 2013, the Government Accountability Office found that CFATS had a 7- to 9-year backlog to review more than 3,000 security plans and a flawed methodology to assess security. The inspector general and Congress have questioned whether the program successfully reduces risk, enhances security, and warned of serious management problems. That is why each time Congress has reauthorized the program, it has done so only for a limited duration. Coming from a manufacturing background, I agree with that approach. That is exactly how you help ensure continuous improvement. In 2014, when the program was last set to expire, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs--under the chairmanship of Senator Carper--and Congress did their job. They did oversight. They made reforms and extended the program for another 4 years, until January 2019. Under my chairmanship, our committee also took its oversight and reauthorization responsibilities seriously.…”