Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3224) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to extend the authorization of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes, as amended.

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. 3224.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 3224, the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023.

Authorized in 2018, the mission of the Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office is to enable its operational partners at the Federal, State, and local levels to prevent the use of WMDs against the United States of America and to promote readiness for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

At the Federal level, CWMD works with the United States Customs and Border Protection to acquire radiation portal monitors that scan cargo at U.S. ports of entry, as well as works with the U.S. Coast Guard to procure personal radiation detectors.

At the local level, the CWMD Office achieves its mission of supporting State, local, Tribal, and territorial partners through funding, equipment, and expertise.

In my home State of New York and in many other States across this great country, the CWMD Office operates the Securing the Cities program, which helps build regional capabilities to detect, analyze, and report nuclear and other radioactive materials.

My bill, the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023, will extend the sunset clause to ensure that the vital work of the CWMD Office continues.

Additionally, my legislation takes meaningful steps to address some longstanding challenges the office has faced, such as dwindling employee morale, and requires the Assistant Secretary for the CWMD Office to submit a report to Congress on how the office will continuously improve morale and employee engagement within the office.

Further, my bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review of the CWMD Office's coordination with stakeholders and efforts to provide the programs and activities that carry out the office's mission, among other items.

From aviation and border security to emergency response and cybersecurity, the Department of Homeland Security has one common mission, Mr. Speaker, and that is to keep America safe.

The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office facilitates its mission by ensuring that operational partners have the tools and support needed to safeguard the United States of America against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

Although we hope that we never ever see the day when one of our adversaries deploys a weapon of mass destruction against this great Nation, we cannot neglect the ever-present threat of terrorism that continues to exist today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense bill, H.R. 3224, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, I think that it is very clear that this bill, H.R. 3224, is not a partisan issue. It is one that the American people will benefit from in order to keep this great homeland safe.

Mr. Speaker, I, again, urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3224, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are here today to consider H.R. 3224, the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023. I commend my Republican colleague from New York for introducing this legislation.

The CWMD Office within the Department of Homeland Security plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our Nation's security by addressing the threat of weapons capable of causing harm to our communities and infrastructure.

CWMD improves our Nation's capability to plan for, detect, and guard against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and health security threats, otherwise known as CBRN.

CWMD further enables CBRN detection programs, training, and other capabilities for State, local, Tribal, and territorial partners and provides ground support for national special security events such as Presidential inaugurations and major sporting events.

Without the support of dedicated DHS components like CWMD, terrorists could exploit the absence of comprehensive measures. It could leave the Nation vulnerable to catastrophic attacks with the potential for widespread harm, loss of life, and severe disruption to national security and public safety.

CWMD operates important programs such as Securing the Cities, which provides 14 local governments across the country with detection equipment, training, exercise support, operational and technical subject matter expertise, and programmatic support.

When CWMD was authorized in 2018, Congress included a sunset for December 21, 2023, with the idea that we could closely monitor the progress of the office. The last continuing resolution extended CWMD through February 2, 2024, but the office needs a longer extension to ensure that its programs and staff have continuity.

With the sunset quickly approaching, the Committee on Homeland Security has worked in a bipartisan fashion to extend CWMD by 2 years with H.R. 3224.

This bipartisan bill will also provide a report to Congress regarding a CWMD employee engagement action plan and strategy to improve morale within the office, which is important given that there have been significant workforce and morale issues. CWMD is consistently ranked low in morale, according to a survey done by the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government.

The bill further requires the Government Accountability Office to brief Congress regarding CWMD and how it is carrying out its mission. While Congress will continue to provide oversight of CWMD and, in the future, provide a permanent authorization for the office, passage of H.R. 3224 is a positive step.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3224, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter), the ranking member of the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee of the Committee on Homeland Security and an original cosponsor of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Louisiana.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3224 is crucial for sustaining our Nation's capabilities to counter chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

The expertise provided by CWMD is essential in the fight against weapons of mass destruction.

Passage of this legislation is vital to maintaining our preparedness and ensuring the security of the Nation against the evolving challenges posed by bad actors.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support H.R. 3224, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, let me say a huge thank-you to Representative Ivey for yielding and particular appreciation and thanks to Congressman D'Esposito, the chairman of the subcommittee.

I am pleased that we are here today to consider Representative D'Esposito's bill, H.R. 3224, the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023, of which I am a proud original cosponsor.

The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, CWMD, office within the Department of Homeland Security was established to elevate and consolidate the Department's effort to protect our Nation from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

CWMD supports Federal, State, and local law enforcement and first responders to defend against CBRN attacks and accomplishes this through programs such as the Securing the Cities program, STC, which holds significant importance for the residents of my home of New Orleans.

The Securing the Cities program bolsters our cities' capacity to identify and thwart potential terrorist threats, particularly during major events like Mardi Gras, Sugar Bowl, Super Bowl, and so many other events that are home to the State of Louisiana.

Another critical program deployed by CWMD is the National Biosurveillance Integration Center, NBIC. NBIC plays a pivotal role in early detection, rapid response, and coordinated efforts by identifying and tracking biological events and distributing its products to Federal, State, and local, congressional, and private sector partners. NBIC's coordination helps ensure a more effective and unified response to mitigate the impact of biological threats.

CWMD's expertise is instrumental in formulating and implementing strategies, coordinating intelligence efforts, and providing essential resources to fortify the Nation's CBRN capabilities.

Recognizing the pivotal role of this office, I am pleased that we could unite on a bipartisan basis to bring H.R. 3224, the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023, to the floor today.

This bipartisan legislation extends CWMD's authorization for 2 years and mandates a Congressional report on the office's plans to enhance morale--an ongoing concern. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to brief Congress regarding the CWMD and how it is carrying out its mission.

CWMD is a critical asset, ensuring a safer and more secure nation for present and future generations. Continued support for this office is paramount, therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3224.

Mr. Speaker, I did not vote on Monday, December 11, 2023 because I was invited to the White House Hanukkah Recognition event, which I felt was important to attend given the rise in antisemitism. Out of respect for the Jewish holiday and, particularly for Jewish Members of Congress, I believe that votes should have been postponed, just as they were for the White House Holiday Ball last week. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

NAY on Roll Call No. 708, H.R. 5378;

YEA on Roll Call No. 707, H.R. 3224; and

YEA on Roll Call No. 709, H.R. 6503.

I also want to include in the Record the following letter to Speaker Johnson, which explains my decision in more detail:

Dear Speaker Johnson: I write to urge you to postpone votes

this evening given that President Biden and Dr. Biden are

hosting a Hanukkah Reception at the White House at 6:00 p.m.

On Monday, December 4, the White House hosted a Holiday Ball

for Members of Congress at 6:00 p.m. I know several Members

appreciated that December 4 votes were postponed as early as

Friday, December 1, to allow Members the opportunity to

attend the ball without missing votes. Given that the

Hannukah Reception was planned within the same time

parameters as the Holiday Ball and that there are votes

planned today on December 11, I was hopeful that votes would

also be postponed until December 12 to give Members an

opportunity to celebrate Hannukah, especially given current

events. While my office, in addition to several other Member

offices, reached out to request that votes be postponed, I

understand that your office plans to continue with votes

tonight as scheduled. I find this incredibly disappointing. I

would expect that the Jewish Members of our body be given the

same consideration and deference as our other colleagues.

With that in mind, I respectfully urge that votes be

postponed. However, given the horrific October 7 massacre and

our minds in the war continually in Gaza against Hamas is

more important than any Hanukkah that we meet with our

constituents and reassure them that we will stand with Israel

as a priority, for its existence is in danger. I appreciate

your prompt response to this urgent matter.

Mr. Speaker, I had to miss yesterday's vote series due to my attendance at an unscheduled meeting. During that time, I was unable to make roll call votes No. 707, No. 708 and No. 709. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner: YEA on Roll Call No. 707, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 3224--Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023; YEA on Roll Call No. 708, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 5378--Lower Costs, More Transparency Act; and YEA on Roll Call No. 709, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 6503--Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023, Part II.