DHS Biodetection Improvement Act

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.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6174) to improve the biodetection functions of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

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. 6174.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6174. The Department of Homeland Security established the BioWatch program to collect and test air samples for biological agents likely to be used in a bioterrorism attack. However, there have been ample criticisms and questions about the effectiveness of the BioWatch program.

As such, in 2019, DHS launched a new acquisition program to move into the next generation of detection of biothreats and to replace the BioWatch program with new and more reliable technology.

However, DHS has not used all the resources at its disposal, including the national laboratories housed within the Department of Energy.

H.R. 6174, the DHS Biodetection Improvement Act, would ensure that DHS is doing everything it can to improve biodetection research and development, including requiring DHS to explain how it plans to utilize the expertise of the Department of Energy national labs.

I thank Congressman Strong for his work on this bill, and I hope all Members will support this legislation today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6174, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Strong), the sponsor of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6174, and I appreciate and thank Mr. Strong for his hard work on this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6174, the DHS Biodetection Improvement Act. This bill seeks to enhance biodetection capabilities at the Department of Homeland Security by leveraging resources at the Department of Energy's national laboratories.

Currently, DHS' Office of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, or CWMD, leads DHS' biodetection work. The premier biodetection program is BioWatch, which is outdated, expensive, and labor-intensive. CWMD's more recent efforts to advance biodetection technologies have been delayed because of this.

H.R. 6174 would move DHS' biodetection programs forward by requiring the Department to complete an assessment of how it is utilizing the Department of Energy's national laboratories for biodetection. The bill would require DHS to create the defined program and technical requirements necessary to advance biodetection programs, including critical research and development.

Further, the bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide Congress with a strategy for conducting regular external evaluations to identify capability gaps and recommend contingency plans if biodetection technologies underperform.

As foreign and domestic security threats evolve, Congress' support for advancements in biodetection programs is key.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, while DHS has worked to improve its biodetection capabilities, many challenges remain, and the current technologies are aging.

H.R. 6174 pairs DHS and the Department of Energy's national laboratories, which would improve biodetection innovation and, ultimately, keep our communities safe from biological threats.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this critical bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.