The Senate passed the Department of Homeland Security FY2005 appropriations bill (H.R. 4567) this week, although a chemical security amendment, introduced by Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ), was tabled. Corzine's amendment would have provided an additional $70,000,000 to enhance the security of chemical plants. Offsets were provided for the increase. Corzine introduced the amendment as a simple measure to increase chemical security because the Senate has not moved on his broader legislation, the Chemical Security Act (S. 157), which would require the development of federal standards to require chemical plants to assess their vulnerabilities and take steps to reduce them. During intensive debate on the amendment, Corzine expressed his concern that the nation's chemical refining and manufacturing infrastructure is vulnerable, and that chemical plant security should be just as important as nuclear plant security. The Senate agreed to table the amendment by a Yea-Nay Vote. 48 - 47.