Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities From Terrorist Attacks Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4470) to extend the authorization of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program of the Department of Homeland Security, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4470

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2023''. SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI- TERRORISM STANDARDS PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

Section 5 of the Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-254; 6 U.S.C. 621 note) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2025''.

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Mr. GUEST. 4470.

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Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4470, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program, also known as CFATS, which is the only Federal program that focuses on security at facilities with chemicals of interest. The authority for this program expires in just 2 days.

While Congress continues to look at improvements and changes with feedback from industry, it is imperative that we reauthorize the program to remain in place to continue to provide stability to the chemical facility industry.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lee) for her work leading this initiative. I urge my colleagues to support H.R.

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Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the great State of Florida (Ms. Lee).

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Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of Texas (Mr. Pfluger).

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Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of Ohio (Mr. Johnson).

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Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Ohio.

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Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, I have no more speakers and I am prepared to close.

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Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I, once again, urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4407 and to quickly move this legislation to the Senate.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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