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H.R.8610 / 117th Congress

Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 469.

Official summary

Version 08 · 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

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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.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10] · D–FL

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Homeland Security Committee
4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 469.

  2. Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

  3. Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

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

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

  6. Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability Discharged.

  7. Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Discharged.

  8. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  9. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

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

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

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. Introduced in House

  15. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.8610 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.8610 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.8610 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.8610 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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