OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Dhs Biodetection Improvement Act

Floor Speech

Date: March 10, 2025
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. STRONG. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Green for his support as well as my colleagues who joined me in introducing this legislation, H.R. 706, the DHS Biodetection Improvement Act.

The anthrax attacks of 2001 opened our eyes to a new dimension of national security risks, including the possibilities of bioterrorism. In response to this tragic event, the Department of Homeland Security launched the BioWatch program, a monitoring system that collects and tests air samples for biological agents likely to be used in a bioterrorism attack. This program has played an essential role in keeping us safe, providing valuable data on potential biological threats.

We must do everything we can to ensure that the tools we rely on remain as advanced and effective as possible, providing us with fast, accurate, and reliable data. Unfortunately, DHS has faced continuous challenges in acquiring capabilities to replace BioWatch.

While DHS has the authority to utilize the Department of Energy's national labs to identify and develop new technologies related to biodefense, they have yet to take advantage of this resource.

My legislation will advance America's bioweapon defense posture by directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct an assessment of how, if at all, DHS has utilized this resource to address homeland security needs. It also directs DHS to submit a strategy for how the agency will coordinate with DOE to address biodetection research and development moving forward.

To ensure accountability, H.R. 706 requires DHS to report to Congress on the assessment and strategy no later than 1 year after the date of enactment.

As a first responder, I know there is more work to be done to harden our defenses against bioterrorism, and this legislation will ensure that DHS is utilizing all available resources and tools to do just that.

In the 118th Congress, I was proud to have the support of my colleagues in passing this legislation in the House. I urge my colleagues to join me once again in supporting this commonsense bill to ensure the security of our communities against biological threats.

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