The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) welcomed a vote by a key House Homeland Security Subcommittee to extend the existing chemical security standards for seven years, thereby preserving the progress companies across the country have made towards safeguarding their facilities against a potential terrorist attack.

The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies voted 6-4 to approve without changes H.R. 901, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Security Authorization Act of 2011, sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Dan Lungren (R-CA). The bill would extend the current site security rules through fiscal year 2017, allowing chemical facilities and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) time to more fully implement the regulation.

“SOCMA has consistently advocated for a long-term reauthorization of the current security standards and appreciates the subcommittee’s vote and its opposition to inserting a process safety mandate into the legislation,” said SOCMA president and CEO Lawrence D. Sloan.

Yesterday, SOCMA members participating in the association’s annual Washington Fly-In met with more than 70 congressional offices to encourage lawmakers to support Congressman Lungren’s bill, as well as those recently introduced by Representatives Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Gene Green (D-TX) and by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).

H. R. 901 now awaits approval by the full Homeland Security Committee.