Extreme cold snaps, like the ones caused by a polar vortex, can knock out power, water, and other critical systems at the same time a terrorist attack might target that same infrastructure. The Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to run a training exercise that simulates exactly that scenario: a terrorist attack on critical infrastructure happening during an extreme cold weather event. The exercise would test how emergency managers, state officials, and private companies could coordinate to limit cascading failures and keep communities resilient. Within 60 days of finishing the exercise, DHS would have to send Congress a report on what it learned and any changes it recommends going forward.
Transparency & Accountability
- DHS after-action reporting requirement — Secretary must send Congress findings and lessons-learned within 60 days of the exercise
Congressional Summary
Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and conduct an exercise to enhance collective domestic preparedness for and response to a terrorist attack during an extreme cold weather event (e.g., an event caused by a polar vortex when Arctic air expands southward). The scenario in the exercise must involve a terrorist attack causing cascading effects on critical infrastructure (i.e., systems and assets of vital importance to national security, public health, or safety) and must address how public and private entities can coordinate to mitigate such effects and bolster community resilience. Within 60 days after completion of the exercise, DHS must submit to Congress an after-action report including the initial findings of the exercise, plans for incorporating lessons learned into future operations, and any proposed legislative changes.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-04-30
- Date Added
- 2026-07-09
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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