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Dhs Biodetection Improvement Act

Floor Speech

Date: March 5, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. STRONG. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Green for his support, as well as that of my colleagues who join me in introducing this legislation, H.R. 6174, the DHS Biodetection Improvement Act.

Threats from America's enemies have continued to evolve and become more complex. The anthrax attack of 2001 opened our eyes to a new threat landscape that includes acts of bioterrorism. In the wake of the 2001 attacks, the Department of Homeland Security established the BioWatch program, which monitors, collects, and tests air samples for biological agents likely to be used in a terrorist attack.

This technology is vital in protecting Americans against bioweapons, and we must have full confidence that it will deliver timely, accurate, and comprehensive information to our partners that operate this system.

As a first responder myself, I know the difference that early detection makes. This becomes more vital when responding to an act of bioterrorism, which could have catastrophic consequences.

We have worked across all levels of government to improve prevention, detection, and response capabilities, but there remains work to be done.

DHS has faced continuous challenges in developing and acquiring new technologies to move toward the next generation of national biodetection. This legislation would ensure that DHS is fully leveraging every tool and resource to accomplish this goal, to include utilizing the Department of Energy's national labs to develop new technologies related to biodefense, developing a plan to acquire existing technologies that can meet the Department's biodetection mission needs, conducting external evaluations to identify gaps and potential failure points, and reporting to Congress a defined plan for the future of biodetection.

As our adversaries watch on, we cannot afford to fall behind. America's security depends on it.

I was proud to introduce this legislation, the DHS Biodetection Improvement Act, to ensure DHS is prepared to protect Americans against bioweapons.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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