Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018

Bill: 115-hr-7213
Sponsor: Rep. Donovan, Daniel M., Jr. [R-NY-11]
Introduced: 2018-12-03 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Chemical and biological weapons
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Emergency planning and evacuation
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Federal-Indian relations
Health personnel
Intergovernmental relations
Nuclear weapons
State and local government operations
Terrorism
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2018-12-03
text: 

Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, headed by an Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary shall serve as the principal advisor to DHS on weapons of mass destruction matters and strategies, and on coordinating efforts to counter weapons of mass destruction.
 
The office shall coordinate DHS strategy and policy to plan, detect, and protect against the importation, possession, storage, transportation, development, or use of unauthorized chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials, devices, or agents. 
 
The Assistant Secretary shall establish the Securing the Cities program to detect and prevent terrorist attacks and other high consequence events utilizing nuclear or other radiological materials that pose a high risk to homeland security in high-risk urban areas. 
 
 The bill establishes in the office a Chief Medical Officer who shall serve as the principal advisor to DHS on medical and public health issues.
 
DHS shall transfer to the office all personnel, budget authority, and assets of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office and the Office of Health Affairs.
 
 
 
 

action_date: 2018-12-21
text: 

Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, headed by an Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary shall serve as the principal advisor to DHS on weapons of mass destruction matters and strategies, and on coordinating efforts to counter weapons of mass destruction.
 
The office shall coordinate DHS strategy and policy to plan, detect, and protect against the importation, possession, storage, transportation, development, or use of unauthorized chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials, devices, or agents. 
 
The Assistant Secretary shall establish the Securing the Cities program to detect and prevent terrorist attacks and other high consequence events utilizing nuclear or other radiological materials that pose a high risk to homeland security in high-risk urban areas. 
 
 The bill establishes in the office a Chief Medical Officer who shall serve as the principal advisor to DHS on medical and public health issues.
 
DHS shall transfer to the office all personnel, budget authority, and assets of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office and the Office of Health Affairs.
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Became Public Law No: 115-387.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Became Public Law No: 115-387.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-12-21
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-12-19
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-12-19
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-12-19
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2018-12-18
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7822)
action_date: 2018-12-18
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S7822)
action_date: 2018-12-11
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST - Mr. Donovan asked unanimous consent that an exchange of letters between the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security be included in the Record. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H9804-9806)
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H9804-9806)
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H9804-9806)
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Committee on Homeland Security discharged.
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Committee on Homeland Security discharged.
action_date: 2018-12-10
text: Mr. Donovan asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
action_date: 2018-12-03
text: 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.
action_date: 2018-12-03
text: 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.
action_date: 2018-12-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2018-12-03
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 115-387