Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3106
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-24: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T13:27:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025 aims to improve the United States' preparedness for terrorist attacks that could disrupt critical infrastructure—such as power grids, water systems, or transportation—during extreme cold weather events, like those caused by a polar vortex. It requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a specific training exercise to test response strategies and build resilience in affected communities.
Key Provisions
- Required Exercise: DHS must develop and conduct a "collective response to terrorism exercise" as an addition to or part of its existing training programs. This exercise focuses on simulating a terrorist attack combined with extreme cold weather, emphasizing the management of "cascading effects" (secondary failures in interconnected systems, like power outages leading to water shortages).
- Scenario Elements: The exercise must address:
- Impacts of extreme cold on access to essential services (e.g., heating, emergency response).
- Cascading disruptions to critical infrastructure, defined under federal law as vital systems like energy, communications, and transportation.
- Strategies for emergency managers, state officials, private companies, and community groups to reduce damage from a terrorist attack.
- Ways to strengthen community resilience against such threats.
- Coordination among federal agencies, state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments.
- Involvement of private sector partners and community stakeholders.
- Reporting Requirement: Within 60 days after the exercise, DHS must submit an after-action report to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The report includes initial findings, plans to apply lessons learned to future DHS operations, and any suggested changes to laws, while protecting classified information.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not overhaul current laws but adds a targeted mandate to DHS's ongoing exercise programs under laws like the USA PATRIOT Act (which defines critical infrastructure). It introduces a specific focus on extreme cold weather scenarios in terrorism preparedness, which were not previously required in such detail, and mandates a congressional report with legislative recommendations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DHS and other federal entities will need to allocate resources for the exercise and coordination, potentially leading to improved interagency protocols and faster response times in cold-weather emergencies. State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments may see enhanced training opportunities.
- On Citizens: Residents in northern or cold-prone regions could benefit from better-protected infrastructure, reducing risks of prolonged outages or service disruptions during terror-related crises, ultimately improving public safety and community recovery.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved U.S. domestic resilience could indirectly strengthen national security postures in global counterterrorism efforts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: Primarily DHS, with involvement from other agencies like those handling emergency management or infrastructure.
- State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments: Officials responsible for emergency response and infrastructure oversight.
- Private Sector: Owners and operators of critical infrastructure (e.g., utilities, telecom companies) who must participate in coordination and mitigation planning.
- Communities: Especially those in areas vulnerable to extreme cold, including residents, local businesses, and nonprofit groups focused on resilience.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing authorities under homeland security laws without creating new regulatory burdens; the report mechanism ensures congressional oversight, promoting accountability in federal spending and preparedness.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the federal government's role in national defense and disaster response under the Commerce Clause and general welfare provisions, with no apparent conflicts to individual rights.
- Political: Highlights vulnerabilities in northern infrastructure, potentially influencing future funding for weather-related security measures; it encourages bipartisan collaboration on terrorism and climate-adjacent risks (e.g., extreme weather), though it may spark debates on resource allocation for regional issues.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-24: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
- 2026-06-24: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-06-24: Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Discharged
- 2026-06-24: Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Discharged
- 2025-05-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
- 2025-05-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (3 pages)