Senate Committee Passes Meehan Anti-Terrorism Bill

WASHINGTON, DC— The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee today passed legislation originally introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) that strengthens protections for chemical facilities against terrorist attack.

The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Authorization and Accountability Act improves security standards at chemical plants across the country. The House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this month.

“Thousands of chemical facilities across the country – a large number of them in Pennsylvania – are potential terrorist targets,” said Congressman Meehan. “One need look no further than the tragedy in West, Texas to see how important it is that our first responders appreciate the dangers of an incident at one of these facilities.

“This bill has received the support of the Department of Homeland Security. It has been passed by the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. And now, it has received the approval of both Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security Committee. I thank Chairman Carper and Ranking Member Coburn for their leadership and commitment and I look forward to working together with them to achieve final passage.”