4 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in REFERRED IN SENATEcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Jul 13, 2026)

Technical corrections only. The diff between v3 and v4 includes the addition of the House Clerk's name and Senate referral information, reflecting the bill's procedural journey after passing the House. No substantive policy changes were made to the bill's text.

H.R. 3106119th CongressIntroduced Apr 30, 2025

Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025

Passed HouseEmergency ManagementSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
Committees: Homeland Security Committee (primary)
Last action: Jul 14, 2026

Bottom line

The bill requires a specialized Department of Homeland Security exercise to improve preparedness for terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure during severe cold weather and mandates a report on its findings.

What it actually does

This bill mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a specific terrorism response exercise. The exercise must simulate a terrorist attack during extreme cold weather, focusing on the cascading effects on critical infrastructure. It requires the exercise to assess mitigation strategies by various stakeholders and how to bolster community resilience, followed by an after-action report to Congress.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue that this bill addresses a critical and potentially devastating vulnerability by focusing on the unique challenges of a terrorist attack combined with extreme cold weather. They contend that such a specific exercise is necessary to identify gaps in current preparedness, enhance coordination among diverse stakeholders, and strengthen the resilience of communities and critical infrastructure against complex, high-impact threats that might be overlooked in broader planning.

Opponents contend

Critics might argue that the Department of Homeland Security already conducts comprehensive exercise programs that cover a wide range of threats and scenarios, including those involving critical infrastructure and severe weather. They may contend that mandating a highly specific exercise could be redundant, potentially diverting resources from other essential preparedness activities without providing significant additional value beyond existing 'all-hazards' approaches, and could incur unnecessary costs.

The bill is very short and straightforward, making it easily accessible for a quick read and evaluation.

Section 2(a) and 2(b)

Mandatory Terrorism Exercise During Extreme Cold Weather

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and conduct a specific exercise. This exercise must simulate a collective response to a terrorist attack, specifically focusing on how such an attack would interact with and exacerbate the effects of an extreme cold weather event, like a polar vortex, on critical infrastructure. The exercise must also evaluate how emergency managers, state officials, private sector, and community stakeholders can mitigate these effects and bolster community resilience.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS)ImpactIncreased workload and resource allocation for exercise planning and execution.MechanismDirect mandate to conduct a specific type of exercise.ScaleModerate

GroupState, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies, and private sector/community stakeholdersImpactRequired participation in the exercise, leading to enhanced coordination and preparedness.MechanismMandatory coordination with these entities during the exercise.ScaleBroad

GroupCritical Infrastructure OperatorsImpactImproved understanding of vulnerabilities and enhanced resilience against combined threats.MechanismInclusion in exercise scenarios and mitigation planning.ScaleTargeted

GroupGeneral PublicImpactPotential for increased safety and resilience against high-impact events.MechanismImproved governmental and private sector response capabilities.ScaleNational

Supporters argue

Proponents argue that this exercise is crucial for identifying specific vulnerabilities and improving response capabilities for a highly destructive, yet plausible, scenario. They believe that focusing on the interplay between terrorism and extreme weather will lead to more robust and integrated preparedness plans, ultimately saving lives and protecting essential services.

Critics contend

Opponents might contend that existing DHS exercise programs already cover elements of this scenario, and a new, highly specific mandate could be redundant or inefficient. They may argue that resources could be better utilized in broader, all-hazards preparedness efforts rather than focusing on a single, albeit severe, combination of threats.

Tradeoffs

The bill balances the need for specific, targeted preparedness against the potential for resource diversion from broader, more general readiness efforts. It aims to address a unique threat combination but requires careful integration with existing programs to avoid redundancy and optimize resource use.

Section 2(c)

After-Action Report to Congress

mentioned in summarystraightforward

This provision requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report to the House and Senate Committees on Homeland Security within 60 days of completing the exercise. The report must detail the initial findings of the exercise, outline immediate and long-term plans for incorporating lessons learned into DHS operations, and propose any legislative changes informed by the exercise outcomes, while protecting classified information.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.