Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-07-13

WEATHERIZING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NORTH AND TERRORISM EMERGENCY READINESS ACT OF 2025

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Context

On 2026-07-13, Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA-11) delivered a floor speech titled "WEATHERIZING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NORTH AND TERRORISM EMERGENCY READINESS ACT OF 2025" in the House.

Full Text

WEATHERIZING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NORTH AND TERRORISM EMERGENCY READINESS ACT OF 2025

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4394-H4395] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WEATHERIZING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NORTH AND TERRORISM EMERGENCY READINESS ACT OF 2025 Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3106) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a collective response to a terrorism exercise that includes the management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure during times of extreme cold weather, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3106 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. EXERCISE ON TERRORIST ATTACK DURING EXTREME COLD. (a) In General.--In addition to, or as part of exercise programs currently carried out by the Department of Homeland Security, to enhance domestic preparedness for terrorism, promote the dissemination of homeland security information, and test the homeland security posture of the United States, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through appropriate offices and components of the Department, shall develop and conduct a collective response to terrorism exercise that includes management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure (as such term is defined in section 1016(e) of Public Law 107-56 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e))) in accordance with the requirements relating to a scenario specified in subsection (b). (b) Exercise Requirements.--The requirements relating to a scenario specified in this subsection are the following: (1) An extreme cold weather event, such as an event caused by a polar vortex, with respect to access to critical services. (2) Any cascading effects on critical infrastructure. (3) How the effects of a successful terrorist attack against critical infrastructure could be mitigated by emergency managers, State officials, and appropriate private sector and community stakeholders. (4) How the resilience of communities that could be impacted by such an attack could be bolstered. (5) Coordination with appropriate Federal departments and agencies, and State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies. (6) Coordination with appropriate private sector and community stakeholders. (c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of the exercise required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, consistent with the protection of classified information, submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an after-action report presenting the initial findings of such exercise, any immediate and longer-term plans for incorporating lessons learned into future operations of the Department of Homeland Security, and any proposed legislative changes informed by such exercise. [[Page H4395]] The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York. General Leave Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3106. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025. This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through appropriate offices and components of DHS to develop and conduct an exercise featuring the participation of Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial agencies, and private-sector stakeholders focusing on a collective response to terrorism that includes the management of the cascading effects on critical infrastructure that results from the occurrence of a terrorist attack during an extreme cold weather event. DHS must then provide an after-action report to Congress consisting of initial findings, plans to incorporate any lessons learned into future DHS operations, and any proposed legislative changes informed by this exercise. This legislation will help strengthen the United States' ability to respond to terrorist threats, especially when they might coincide with extreme weather events. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kennedy), the sponsor of this bill. Mr. KENNEDY of New York. I thank Representative Walkinshaw for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act, also known as the WINTER Act. As a nation, we must be prepared to prevent and respond to terrorist threats in every circumstance, including during the harshest winter weather. That is why I introduced the WINTER Act, to strengthen our Homeland Security posture during extreme cold weather conditions and ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is prepared to respond. My hometown of Buffalo, New York, is no stranger to cold weather events. In December of 2022, Winter Storm Elliott hit western New York with historic force. During the Christmas holiday, this powerful storm brought dangerous blizzard conditions, including 60-mile-per-hour winds, dangerous levels of lake-effect snowfall, and life-threatening subfreezing temperatures. Thousands lost power, phone lines went dark, and roads became impassable, bringing emergency operations and critical infrastructure in the city of Buffalo to a screeching halt. This catastrophic storm claimed 47 precious lives in our community. Families endured unimaginable hardship and heartbreak, and local governments have spent years responding to the disaster to help neighborhoods recover. Now, imagine the devastation if, amid a major winter storm of this caliber, our Nation was forced to respond to a terrorist attack. Severe winter conditions often strain emergency response capabilities, disrupt communications, and damage critical infrastructure, making an already dangerous situation even more dire. These challenges are precisely why terrorists may view extreme weather as an opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities and magnify the impact of an attack. My legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a terrorist preparedness exercise focused on the effects of an attack on critical infrastructure during an extreme cold weather event. It also requires DHS report to Congress on successes and potential pitfalls of the preparedness analysis, ensuring that we understand where existing security gaps remain. The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, State officials, and community partners, helping to better anticipate and mitigate the consequences of such an attack. By identifying security gaps before a disaster strikes, we can enhance our resilience and be better prepared to withstand and respond to increasingly sophisticated acts of terrorism. We cannot control when the next severe winter storm will strike, and we cannot predict when terrorists will look to exploit our vulnerabilities. But we can ensure that our Homeland Security enterprise is prepared for both. That is exactly what this legislation will help us do. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the committee, Representative Garbarino, for his support. I especially thank Representative and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson for his partnership on this bill. I urge all of my colleagues to support this vital legislation. Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Representative Kennedy's leadership on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3106. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Kennedy and congratulate him on his hard work. Nobody knows how to remove snow quite like those Buffalo Bills fans, especially on game day. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3106, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3106. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR3106, HR3106

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WEATHERIZING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NORTH AND TERRORISM EMERGENCY READINESS ACT OF 2025 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4394-H4395] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WEATHERIZING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NORTH AND TERRORISM EMERGENCY READINESS ACT OF 2025 Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3106) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a collective response to a terrorism exercise that includes the management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure during times of extreme cold weather, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3106 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. EXERCISE ON TERRORIST ATTACK DURING EXTREME COLD. (a) In General.--In addition to, or as part of exercise programs currently carried out by the Department of Homeland Security, to enhance domestic preparedness for terrorism, promote the dissemination of homeland security information, and test the homeland security posture of the United States, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through appropriate offices and components of the Department, shall develop and conduct a collective response to terrorism exercise that includes management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure (as such term is defined in section 1016(e) of Public Law 107-56 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e))) in accordance with the requirements relating to a scenario specified in subsection (b). (b) Exercise Requirements.--The requirements relating to a scenario specified in this subsection are the following: (1) An extreme cold weather event, such as an event caused by a polar vortex, with respect to access to critical services. (2) Any cascading effects on critical infrastructure. (3) How the effects of a successful terrorist attack against critical infrastructure could be mitigated by emergency managers, State officials, and appropriate private sector and community stakeholders. (4) How the resilience of communities that could be impacted by such an attack could be bolstered. (5) Coordination with appropriate Federal departments and agencies, and State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies. (6) Coordination with appropriate private sector and community stakeholders. (c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of the exercise required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, consistent with the protection of classified information, submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an after-action report presenting the initial findings of such exercise, any immediate and longer-term plans for incorporating lessons learned into future operations of the Department of Homeland Security, and any proposed legislative changes informed by such exercise. [[Page H4395]] The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York. General Leave Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3106. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025. This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through appropriate offices and components of DHS to develop and conduct an exercise featuring the participation of Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial agencies, and private-sector stakeholders focusing on a collective response to terrorism that includes the management of the cascading effects on critical infrastructure that results from the occurrence of a terrorist attack during an extreme cold weather event. DHS must then provide an after-action report to Congress consisting of initial findings, plans to incorporate any lessons learned into future DHS operations, and any proposed legislative changes informed by this exercise. This legislation will help strengthen the United States' ability to respond to terrorist threats, especially when they might coincide with extreme weather events. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kennedy), the sponsor of this bill. Mr. KENNEDY of New York. I thank Representative Walkinshaw for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act, also known as the WINTER Act. As a nation, we must be prepared to prevent and respond to terrorist threats in every circumstance, including during the harshest winter weather. That is why I introduced the WINTER Act, to strengthen our Homeland Security posture during extreme cold weather conditions and ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is prepared to respond. My hometown of Buffalo, New York, is no stranger to cold weather events. In December of 2022, Winter Storm Elliott hit western New York with historic force. During the Christmas holiday, this powerful storm brought dangerous blizzard conditions, including 60-mile-per-hour winds, dangerous levels of lake-effect snowfall, and life-threatening subfreezing temperatures. Thousands lost power, phone lines went dark, and roads became impassable, bringing emergency operations and critical infrastructure in the city of Buffalo to a screeching halt. This catastrophic storm claimed 47 precious lives in our community. Families endured unimaginable hardship and heartbreak, and local governments have spent years responding to the disaster to help neighborhoods recover. Now, imagine the devastation if, amid a major winter storm of this caliber, our Nation was forced to respond to a terrorist attack. Severe winter conditions often strain emergency response capabilities, disrupt communications, and damage critical infrastructure, making an already dangerous situation even more dire. These challenges are precisely why terrorists may view extreme weather as an opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities and magnify the impact of an attack. My legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a terrorist preparedness exercise focused on the effects of an attack on critical infrastructure during an extreme cold weather event. It also requires DHS report to Congress on successes and potential pitfalls of the preparedness analysis, ensuring that we understand where existing security gaps remain. The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, State officials, and community partners, helping to better anticipate and mitigate the consequences of such an attack. By identifying security gaps before a disaster strikes, we can enhance our resilience and be better prepared to withstand and respond to increasingly sophisticated acts of terrorism. We cannot control when the next severe winter storm will strike, and we cannot predict when terrorists will look to exploit our vulnerabilities. But we can ensure that our Homeland Security enterprise is prepared for both. That is exactly what this legislation will help us do. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the committee, Representative Garbarino, for his support. I especially thank Representative and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson for his partnership on this bill. I urge all of my colleagues to support this vital legislation. Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Representative Kennedy's leadership on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3106. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Kennedy and congratulate him on his hard work. Nobody knows how to remove snow quite like those Buffalo Bills fans, especially on game day. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3106, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3106. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR3106, HR3106