DHS BIODETECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT

On 2025-03-10, Representative Dale W. Strong (R-AL-5) delivered a floor speech titled "DHS BIODETECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered taxes, the environment. It referenced legislation: HR706.

DHS BIODETECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 44 (Monday, March 10, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 44 (Monday, March 10, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1046-H1048] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] DHS BIODETECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 706) to improve the biodetection functions of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 706 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 ``DHS Biodetection Improvement Act''. [[Page H1047]] SEC. 2. DHS UTILIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL LABORATORIES AND SITES FOR CERTAIN BIODETECTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT RELATING TO THE MISSIONS OF THE DHS. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct an assessment of how the Department of Homeland Security has utilized Department of Energy national laboratories and sites regarding research and development in carrying out the missions of the Department of Homeland Security, in accordance with section 309 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 189). (b) Strategy on Biodetection Research and Development.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate the assessment required under subsection (a), together with a strategy for how the Department of Homeland Security will conduct research and development in coordination with Department of Energy national laboratories and sites to address biodetection research and development of the Department of Homeland Security, including the following: (1) Identifying biodetection technologies that can, either individually or together, meet the biodetection mission needs as outlined in Department of Homeland Security capabilities analysis and requirements documents and informed by studies produced by the Comptroller General of the United States, such as the National Re-Assessment of the BioWatch Collector Network to Increase the Fraction of Population Covered, as developed by the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department in November 2021, and other such future studies as applicable. (2) Developing an acquisition and procurement plan to acquire and provide, in accordance with Federal law, the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and Department of Homeland Security acquisition and procurement management directives, the biodetection technologies referred to in paragraph (1) to existing BioWatch jurisdictions. (3) Conducting periodic external evaluations to identify gaps and potential failure points with respect to such biodetection technologies, and recommending contingency plans in the event such biodetection technologies do not perform as expected or intended. (4) Assisting, as appropriate and in partnership with Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments, institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), and the private sector, with the development of clearly defined program and technical requirements for future Department of Homeland Security environmental biodetection programs, including any related transformational program of research and development. (c) Reports to Congress.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an update of the assessment and strategy required under this section, including any challenges to implementing such strategy. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Green) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee. General Leave Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. 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. 706. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Tennessee? There was no objection. Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 706, the DHS Biodetection Improvement Act. Amidst the vast and evolving threat landscape we face today, our vigilance against biological weapons must remain strong. This bill will direct DHS to address the shortcomings it has faced in acquiring technologies for biodefense. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Strong) for his work on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of Representative Strong's bill, H.R. 706, the DHS Biodetection Improvement Act. This legislation is essential in advancing the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to protect Americans from emerging biological threats. Specifically, it seeks to enhance biodetection capabilities within DHS by requiring the Secretary to assess how the Department can leverage the research and development of the Department of Energy's national laboratories. Biological threats, including deadly pathogens and bioterrorism agents, represent a constant and emerging danger to the public health and security of our Nation. However, the BioWatch program, which has been the cornerstone of our biodetection efforts, is now outdated. H.R. 706 takes a crucial step forward by requiring DHS to assess how the Department of Energy's national laboratories can play an even greater role in improving our biodetection capabilities. These labs are equipped with cutting-edge research and development capabilities that can help modernize our detection system. The national labs have the expertise and technologies necessary to enhance DHS' ability to detect, identify, and respond to biological threats much more effectively. Accessing this valuable research will enable DHS to modernize its biodetection tools and systems. The bill also directs DHS to establish specific programs and technical requirements essential for advancing biodetection efforts, including vital research and development. Furthermore, the bill requires the Homeland Security Secretary to submit to Congress a strategy for regular external evaluations to identify capability gaps and propose contingency plans if biodetection technologies fall short. As security threats continue to evolve, it is important that Congress support improvements in biodetection capabilities. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Strong), the author of the legislation. 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. {time} 1615 Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. [[Page H1048]] Mr. Speaker, while DHS has made tremendous efforts to enhance its biodetection capabilities, we still have a long way to go. That is why it is important to pass this legislation, H.R. 706, which will foster innovation in biodetection and ultimately strengthen our ability to protect our communities from biological threats Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I, again, urge my colleagues to support H.R. 706, and I yield back the 

Referenced legislation: HR706, HR706