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Bill117th CongressFiled Jul 29, 2022Emergency Management
H.R. 8610

Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act

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What it doesSummary reported to house, part i (Dec 20, 2022)

Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act

This bill makes changes to the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) office of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and provides statutory authority for and expands DHS's Office of Health Security (OHS).

Specifically, the bill

  • establishes the new OHS to advise DHS on medical, public health, and workforce safety matters;
  • sets forth the responsibilities of the Chief Medical Officer and a Privacy Officer in OHS;
  • repeals the terminating date for the CWMD office and sets forth the responsibilities of that office, including efforts to counter chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, as well as other emerging terrorism threats;
  • requires DHS to report to Congress regarding the Securing the Cities program (which seeks to reduce the risk of a successful deployment of radiological or nuclear weapons against major metropolitan areas in the United States);
  • establishes a CWMD Advisory Council; and
  • requires a biodefense review and issuance of a DHS biodefense strategy.

The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on efforts of the CWMD office to prioritize its programs and activities to safeguard against CBRN threats and on other activities of that office.

What just happenedDec 20, 2022

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 469.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10](D-FL)Sponsor
4 cosponsors3 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
4cosponsors2committees15actions15subjects
  1. Dec 20, 2022CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 469.

  2. Dec 20, 2022DischargeH12300

    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  3. Dec 20, 2022Committee5500

    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  4. Dec 20, 2022CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 117-650, Part I.

    Homeland Security Committee
  5. Dec 20, 2022Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 117-650, Part I.

    Homeland Security Committee
  6. Sep 14, 2022Committee

    Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability Discharged.

    Homeland Security Committee
  7. Sep 14, 2022Committee

    Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Discharged.

    Homeland Security Committee
  8. Sep 14, 2022Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Homeland Security Committee
  9. Sep 14, 2022Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Homeland Security Committee
  10. Aug 1, 2022Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability.

    Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Subcommittee
  11. Aug 1, 2022Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.

    Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee
  12. Jul 29, 2022IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  13. Jul 29, 2022IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Homeland Security Committee
  14. Jul 29, 2022IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  15. Jul 29, 2022IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Reported to House, Part IDec 20, 20228

Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act

This bill makes changes to the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) office of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and provides statutory authority for and expands DHS's Office of Health Security (OHS).

Specifically, the bill

  • establishes the new OHS to advise DHS on medical, public health, and workforce safety matters;
  • sets forth the responsibilities of the Chief Medical Officer and a Privacy Officer in OHS;
  • repeals the terminating date for the CWMD office and sets forth the responsibilities of that office, including efforts to counter chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, as well as other emerging terrorism threats;
  • requires DHS to report to Congress regarding the Securing the Cities program (which seeks to reduce the risk of a successful deployment of radiological or nuclear weapons against major metropolitan areas in the United States);
  • establishes a CWMD Advisory Council; and
  • requires a biodefense review and issuance of a DHS biodefense strategy.

The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on efforts of the CWMD office to prioritize its programs and activities to safeguard against CBRN threats and on other activities of that office.

Introduced in HouseJul 29, 2022

Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act

This bill makes changes to the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) office of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and provides statutory authority for and expands DHS's Office of Health Security (OHS).

Specifically, the bill

  • establishes the new OHS to advise DHS on medical, public health, and workforce safety matters;
  • sets forth the responsibilities of the Chief Medical Officer and a Privacy Officer in OHS;
  • repeals the terminating date for the CWMD office and sets forth the responsibilities of that office, including efforts to counter chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, as well as other emerging terrorism threats;
  • establishes a CWMD Advisory Council; and
  • requires a biodefense review and issuance of a DHS biodefense strategy.

The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on efforts of the CWMD office to prioritize its programs and activities to safeguard against CBRN threats and on other activities of that office.

Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act — Informed