The recent arrests of 17 Canadians charged with plotting to attack targets in and around Ontario with ammonium nitrate fertilizer-based bombs is just another compelling reason why Congress must act to regulate the ammonium nitrate fertilizer industry. A material of choice for domestic terrorists, ammonium nitrate was used in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 people and has been used in terrorist bombings around the world.
The ammonium nitrate industry has acted responsibly in asking for Congress’s help and they should be commended for their proactive effort to protect ammonium nitrate from being abused or stockpiled by those wishing to do America harm. I also applaud the leadership of the House Homeland Security Committee for moving this bill forward for a full committee vote. This legislation will empower the Department of Homeland Security to regulate the sale of ammonium nitrate and help keep this potentially dangerous substance out of terrorist hands.