Ammonium Nitrate Legislation Introduced
March 26, 2007 - Today, Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Peter King (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, joined together with Rep. James R. Langevin (D-RI), Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, and Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee to introduce “The Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Act of 2007”. This bill will allow the Department of Homeland Security to regulate the sale and purchase of ammonium nitrate, in order to keep it out of the hands of terrorists while allowing it to be continually available for agricultural use.
Chairman Thompson issued the following statement regarding the legislation:
“The threat posed by these legal and abundant fertilizers was first realized by the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. After much effort on the subject, this legislation finally seals the lasting security holes by tightly regulating and tracking ammonium nitrate. I urge the quick passage of this bipartisan legislation.”
Ranking Member King said the following:
"This legislation is yet another important step in securing our country against terrorist attacks," King said. "The bill will enable DHS to obtain knowledge of suspect ammonium nitrate purchases and purchase patterns, aid law enforcement counterterrorism efforts by creating a paper trail for crimes involving purchases of ammonium nitrate, and support honest retailers in their efforts to prevent terrorism. I am pleased to cosponsor this legislation with Chairman Thompson, as we did in the 109th Congress.”
“While I recognize that ammonium nitrate is vital to our nation’s agricultural industry, we must work to ensure its safe distribution and storage,” commented Rep. Langevin. “This legislation sets clear guidelines and allows us to monitor ammonium nitrate transactions without unduly burdening legitimate users or keeping it out of the commercial market.”
"Freeing the U.S. from the threat of terrorism has been a priority of the Congress, and with this legislation we will curb the potential for the construction of improvised explosive devices, which terrorist groups use so often and well," Rep. McCaul added. "Ammonium Nitrate has been the explosive material of choice in a number of acts of terrorism, including the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City and the 1998 United States embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya. This legislation will give DHS the authorization needed to regulate the sale and purchase of ammonium nitrate, and ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands."
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Democratic Staff: Dena Graziano or Todd Levett at (202) 225-9978.
Republican Staff: Chad Scarborough at (202) 226-8417.
