Huntsville Leader

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Representative Dale W. Strong’s bill, H.R. 6174 – the “DHS Biodetection Improvement Act.” This legislation will bolster U.S. biodefense by ensuring that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is positioned to combat bioterrorism threats.  

Representative Dale W. Strong expressed his gratitude for the unanimous passing of the bill, stating, “I am glad that my colleagues recognized the importance of this legislation and passed it unanimously. Threats from America’s enemies have continued to evolve and become more complex. The anthrax attacks of 2001 opened our eyes to a new threat landscape that included acts of bioterrorism.”

The bill aims to address the shortcomings in the current biodefense infrastructure, particularly in the context of evolving threats. Strong emphasized the importance of early detection, stating, “As a first responder myself, I know the difference that early detection makes. This legislation will ensure DHS is fully leveraging every tool and resource to accomplish the goal of protecting Americans against bioterrorism. As our adversaries watch on, we cannot afford to fall behind, America’s security depends on it.”

The legislation includes specific provisions to enhance DHS's capabilities in biodefense, such as utilizing the Department of Energy’s National Labs for developing new technologies, acquiring existing technologies to meet biodetection needs, conducting external evaluations, and submitting a report to Congress outlining a defined plan for the future of biodetection.

The DHS Biodetection Improvement Act is a significant step towards strengthening the national defense against bioterrorism and ensuring the safety and security of Americans.