House · HR 3106 · 119th Congress
Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025
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Summary
This bill tells the Department of Homeland Security to run a practice drill. The drill must simulate a terrorist attack on key public systems during extreme cold weather. It covers power, water, and other vital services that could fail at the same time.
In Favor
Extreme cold can strain power grids and water systems to their limits. A terrorist attack during those conditions could cause rapid, widespread failures. This drill forces emergency planners to prepare for that combined threat before it happens in real life.
Against
This bill requires a drill and a report but creates no lasting fixes to cold-weather vulnerabilities. Resources spent on one exercise may not address the many other gaps in infrastructure planning. Congress would receive findings but is not required to act on them.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
The bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to run a practice exercise combining a terrorist attack scenario with an extreme cold weather event. It aims to test how agencies and communities respond when critical systems fail at the same time.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill's provisions stay on topic, focusing on the cold weather terrorism exercise and the required report to Congress.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Emergency managers, state and local officials, tribal and territorial agencies, and private sector groups take part in the exercise. Congress receives the after-action report within 60 days of the exercise ending.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not authorize or appropriate a specific dollar amount. It directs DHS to develop and conduct the exercise using its existing programs, shifting planning and reporting duties to the agency.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The bill requires DHS to coordinate across federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and private groups, which depends on scheduling and participation from many separate organizations. The 60-day deadline for the report adds a firm time requirement after the exercise ends.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 7/24/2026