Eric R. Byer, President and CEO for the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), formerly the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD), released the following statement ahead of the U.S. House Committee on Rules’ consideration of amendment #594. The amendment, supported by 22 bi-partisan co-sponsors, including members of the House Armed Services Committee, would restore the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program as part of the Service Member Quality of Life Improvement and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025: 

“The CFATS program has remained expired for far too long. At a time when the administration is now requiring chemical facilities to disclose sensitive chemical information to the public, it is absolutely critical that the CFATS program is restored to keep facilities secure and communities safe. The strong record of bipartisan support of the program in both chambers of Congress sends a clear message that reinstatement of CFATS is the will of Congress. 

“We strongly encourage the U.S. House Committee on Rules and Speaker Mike Johnson to include this amendment in the NDAA to ensure these facilities have the support and partnership of the government as they work to remain vigilant against ever-evolving threats.”

Last week, ACD led a letter with other trade and union groups to U.S. House leadership urging them to support Representative Laurel Lee’s (FL-15) amendment.