Strong’s bioterrorism bill unanimously passes in Homeland Security Committee

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security unanimously passed Rep. Dale W. Strong’s DHS Biodetection Improvement Act on Wednesday.  

The legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to ensure it is fully utilizing its capabilities and resources to aid its BioWatch program.

“We know that with the Biden Administration’s open border policies, Americans are exposed to untold threats,” Strong (R-Monrovia) said. “We have no idea who or what is coming across our border under this administration. Cartels and terrorist organizations are exploiting these weak policies every single day.

“The Department of Homeland Security must do everything in its power to protect Americans from new and existing threats.” 

Launched in 2001 in response to the anthrax attacks, BioWatch is a monitoring system that tests air samples for biological agents that could be used in bioterrorism attacks. The program is intended to be run in cooperation with the Department of Energy’s national laboratories and operates in more than 30 major cities in the United States.

“As a first responder, I know there is more work to be done to harden our defenses against bioterrorism,” said Strong. “I am proud to introduce legislation to ensure the Biden Administration is better prepared to protect Americans against these threats.”