Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association
Supply · Service · Stewardship

IFCA and Stakeholders Urge Congress to Reauthorize CFATS (Again)

As previously stated, the Department of Homeland Security’s Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) expired last summer. Opposition primarily from Senator Rand Paul (KY) has prevented Congress from implementing a new law, although the House of Representatives passed a bill to provide a new two-year CFATS legislative authorization by an overwhelming vote of 409-1. This kind of majority vote almost never occurs. 
 
The proposed two-year term was intended to provide Congress with additional time to consider revisions to the CFATS program while continuing to ensure legislative authorization remained in effect. Now, nothing is in effect. IFCA, The Fertilizer Institute and other stakeholders have sought to reinvigorate Senate consideration of a new authorization.