Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3669) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a collective response to a terrorism exercise that includes the management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure during times of extreme cold weather, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3669

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2019''. SEC. 2. EXERCISE ON TERRORIST ATTACK DURING EXTREME COLD.

(a) In General.--In addition to, or as part of exercise programs currently carried out by the Department of Homeland Security, to enhance domestic preparedness for terrorism, promote the dissemination of homeland security information, and test the homeland security posture of the United States, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through appropriate offices and components of the Department, shall develop and conduct a collective response to terrorism exercise that includes management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure (as such term is defined in section 1016(e) of Public Law 107-56 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e))), such as an extreme cold weather event caused by a polar vortex.

(b) Exercise Requirements.--The exercise required under subsection (a) shall include a scenario involving the following:

(1) An extreme cold weather event, such as an event caused by a polar vortex, with respect to access to critical services.

(2) Any cascading effects on critical infrastructure.

(3) How the effects of a successful terrorist attack against critical infrastructure could be mitigated by emergency managers, State officials, and appropriate private sector and community stakeholders.

(4) How the resilience of communities that could be impacted by such an attack could be bolstered.

(5) Coordination with appropriate Federal departments and agencies, and State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies.

(6) Coordination with appropriate private sector and community stakeholders.

(c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of the exercise required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, consistent with the protection of classified information, submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an after-action report presenting the initial findings of such exercise, any immediate and longer-term plans for incorporating lessons learned into future operations of the Department of Homeland Security, and any proposed legislative changes informed by such exercise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my own bill, H.R. 3669, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2019 or, as we like to call it, the WINTER Act.

Terrorism is a persistent threat to the United States. We need to be prepared to confront terrorism in all situations, even during extreme weather events. As climate change continues to change weather patterns, extreme winter storms will become more common.

The effects of climate change produce more snowfall during winter storms as a warmer planet evaporates more water into the atmosphere, and that moisture means heavier snowfall and worse storms.

Given what we know, we must make sure we are prepared to act if a terrorist attack were to take place during an extreme cold event. This is why I introduced H.R. 3669, the WINTER Act.

In recent years, the Nation has experienced several extreme cold weather events, such as the polar vortex during the winter of 2019. This one was very specific and personal to the State of Michigan.

Last winter, in my State, temperatures reached as low as negative 43 degrees Fahrenheit during the polar vortex. During that time we had a fire, an accidental fire at one of our gas facilities, causing it to shut down, and resulting in a gas shortage in our State. As a result, our Governor had to go on television and ask all Michiganians to turn down their thermostats below 65 degrees to ensure that we didn't lose power across the State and were able to keep our warming stations, our hospitals, our homeless shelters open.

The dangers that result from cold weather aren't unique to Michigan. Across the U.S., over 6,000 people died from hypothermia or exposure to cold between 2006 and 2010, equating to over 1,000 deaths per year.

During these extreme cold weather events, infrastructure and emergency services are critical, and any disruption poses a serious threat to the health and safety of Americans in the affected area.

Last winter's events made me realize that if we had a critical infrastructure attack in the middle of winter, particularly in places in the northern half of the country, we would be extremely vulnerable. If terrorists choose to take advantage of any of these circumstances to amplify the deadly impacts of an attack, our elderly, our families, and our first responders could be put in the most danger.

This bipartisan bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to develop and conduct a terrorism training exercise that addresses the effects of a successful terrorist attack on critical infrastructure during extreme cold weather.

This exercise will help determine the best way for emergency managers, State and local officials, and community stakeholders to mitigate the impacts of such an attack and help keep people safe.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill.

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Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Louisiana closes.

The passage of the WINTER Act would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is doing its part to improve preparedness and response to terrorism in the event of extreme cold.

I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 3669; winter is coming; and I yield back the balance of my time.

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