Hearing of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. John Ratcliffe, Hearing on Industry Views of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program

Hearing

Remarks as Prepared

The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program, or CFATS program, began in 2007 in order
to keep dangerous chemicals out of the hands of terrorists seeking to do our nation harm. Since
then, the program has grown and strengthened through the tireless work put in by the men and
woman of DHS, and through the relentless effort of industry to keep their facilities secure. The daily
management and security of high-risk chemicals is not an issue that government can solve on its
own. Working with industry stakeholders in this area is an integral aspect of our nation's continuing
counterterrorism efforts. By identifying high-risk facilities and ensuring that they have appropriate
security measures in place, the risks associated with these chemicals can be heavily mitigated.

Especially after recent tragedies, greater collaboration between the government and facility owner-
operators also can provide confidence and peace of mind to the public.

It is important to point out that CFATS is a broad program that covers facilities that use,
manufacture, store or handle specific quantities chemicals that DHS has identified as being
extremely dangerous. As shown by the various industries that our witness come from, facilities
under this program touch all aspects of our economy, such as energy, healthcare, mining,
agriculture, electronics, and plastics. The need for Congress and DHS to get this program right is
both a national security and economic imperative.

The CFATS program has used Risk-Based Performance Standards, such as perimeter security, access
control, and cybersecurity, to examine and evaluate a facility's security posture. While it is up to the
individual owner-operators of a CFATS-covered facility to choose what programs best ensure the
security of stored chemicals, a high-risk facility ultimately must implement stringent standards set
forth in CFATS. As DHS previously stated before this Subcommittee, the significant reduction in the
number of chemical facilities that represent the highest risk is an important success of the CFATS
program and is attributable both to the design of the program and to the work of CFATS personnel
and industry at thousands of chemical facilities.

Through engagement and collaboration with industry stakeholders over the past few years, this
Committee is hopeful that the CFATS program can continue to protect chemicals from those who
mean to do us harm.

I would to thank our panel for taking the time today to testify. Your thoughts and opinions are very
important as we oversee the Department of Homeland Security in meeting its duties under the
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program. As stakeholders, you offer a unique and
integral insight into the interworking's of this program which is set to expire at the end of this year.
I look forward to a robust conversation with our distinguished panel that will support our efforts in
overseeing the CFATS program.

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