Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
- Committees
- Homeland Security Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 14, 2026
Bottom line
This bill requires a specific homeland security exercise to improve preparedness for terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure during severe winter weather, aiming to enhance coordination and resilience across multiple levels of government and the private sector.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and conduct a specific terrorism exercise. The exercise must simulate a terrorist attack during extreme cold weather, focusing on the cascading effects on critical infrastructure and how various stakeholders can mitigate these impacts and bolster community resilience. It also requires DHS to submit an after-action report to Congress detailing findings and lessons learned.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill is crucial for national security, as it addresses a specific, high-impact threat scenario that combines terrorism with the unique challenges of extreme cold weather. They contend that dedicated exercises for such complex events are essential for identifying vulnerabilities, improving inter-agency coordination, and enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure and affected communities, which might not be adequately covered by more general preparedness drills.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that the Department of Homeland Security already conducts comprehensive exercise programs designed to address a wide range of threats, including those involving critical infrastructure and severe weather. They may contend that mandating a highly specific scenario could lead to a less flexible allocation of resources, potentially diverting focus from other equally or more pressing threats that DHS, with its broader threat assessment capabilities, might otherwise prioritize.
The bill is very short and easily digestible, allowing ample time for a thorough evaluation of its provisions.
Section 2(a) and 2(b)
Requirement for a Collective Response to Terrorism Exercise During Extreme Cold
This provision mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and conduct a specific terrorism exercise. This exercise must simulate a terrorist attack during an extreme cold weather event, such as a polar vortex, focusing on the cascading failures of critical infrastructure. It requires the exercise to assess how emergency managers, state officials, private sector, and community stakeholders can mitigate these effects and bolster community resilience, emphasizing coordination across federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, as well as private sector and community groups.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this exercise is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities and improving response capabilities to a high-impact, low-frequency event combining terrorism and extreme weather, which could have devastating consequences. It ensures specific attention is paid to a complex threat scenario that might otherwise be overlooked or insufficiently practiced, thereby enhancing overall national security.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that DHS already conducts comprehensive exercise programs and that mandating a specific scenario could lead to a less flexible or less efficient allocation of resources, potentially diverting focus from other equally or more pressing threats. They might also argue that existing frameworks are sufficient to address such scenarios without specific legislative mandates.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the need for specific preparedness against the flexibility of DHS to design its exercise programs based on evolving threat assessments. It also highlights the tension between addressing a highly specific, complex threat and potentially broad, all-hazards preparedness.
Section 2(c)
After-Action Report to Congress
This provision requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit an after-action report to the House and Senate Homeland Security committees within 60 days of completing the exercise. The report must detail the initial findings, immediate and long-term plans for incorporating lessons learned into future DHS operations, and any proposed legislative changes informed by the exercise, while protecting classified information.