[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 balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Green) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 706.
  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. GREEN of Tennessee. 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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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