Bill Overview
Title: Health Security and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act
Description: This bill makes changes to the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) office of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and provides statutory authority for and expands DHS's Office of Health Security (OHS). Specifically, the bill establishes the new OHS to advise DHS on medical, public health, and workforce safety matters; sets forth the responsibilities of the Chief Medical Officer and a Privacy Officer in OHS; repeals the terminating date for the CWMD office and sets forth the responsibilities of that office, including efforts to counter chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, as well as other emerging terrorism threats; requires DHS to report to Congress regarding the Securing the Cities program (which seeks to reduce the risk of a successful deployment of radiological or nuclear weapons against major metropolitan areas in the United States); establishes a CWMD Advisory Council; and requires a biodefense review and issuance of a DHS biodefense strategy. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on efforts of the CWMD office to prioritize its programs and activities to safeguard against CBRN threats and on other activities of that office.
Sponsors: Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10]
Target Audience
Population: Global population
Estimated Size: 335000000
- The bill primarily deals with the creation and restructuring of departments within the DHS, which would directly involve government employees working in those offices.
- The CWMD office's focus on countering chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats involves preparedness for events that could have a massive impact on broad populations both in the U.S. and globally.
- The OHS will have a broader impact by advising on public health and safety, potentially affecting public safety measures and health responses that impact the wider population.
- The Securing the Cities program focuses on protecting major U.S. metropolitan areas, directly impacting those living in cities potentially targeted by radiological or nuclear threats.
- The advisory and strategic planning roles described will influence government policy, affecting potentially everyone in terms of national security and emergency preparedness.
Reasoning
- The policy mainly affects individuals working directly for or with the DHS, especially those in OHS and CWMD. They have high impact due to structural changes and potential job creation or reshuffling.
- People living in major US cities might experience some indirect impact due to increased safety measures related to the Securing the Cities program and the potential reduction in threat levels from CBRN events.
- General population wellbeing is likely to be influenced minimally on a day-to-day basis unless a direct threat emerges, whereby impact would rapidly become significant.
- The primary focus of the budget appears to be infrastructural and systemic within DHS, rather than directly impacting public health or well-being in an overt and immediate way.
- Government employees and contractors working in fields related to the policy will likely see changes in job satisfaction and security, impacting their well-being readings.
- The average citizen's immediate well-being perception may not shift unless the policy is seen to prevent a significant threat.
Simulated Interviews
DHS Employee (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is crucial for adapting our operations to new threats.
- It's reassuring to see a continued emphasis on urban safety and CBRN preparedness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (New York City, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great that there will be more resources for securing cities like ours.
- Feeling safer due to increased CBRN threat mitigation directly impacts my work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
University Professor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These measures seem necessary but are far-removed from my everyday concerns.
- Policies like this should enhance our safety timeframe, making big cities feel more secure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Public Health Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The biodefense strategy is overdue and adds comfort to our work responsibilities.
- I hope the resources get allocated efficiently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see how this will directly affect my life or wellbeing.
- While important, I doubt the policy will change daily routines for people like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Public Safety Official (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The expanded authority in DHS is hopeful for improving our response capabilities.
- It should bolster public trust in safety measures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Government Policy Analyst (Seattle, WA)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such policies enhance our strategic capabilities, making our responses more robust.
- I see potential benefits for major urban centers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
College Student (Denver, CO)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not really sure how this affects a student like me directly.
- I assume having better national safety policies is a good thing overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Nurse (Boston, MA)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There's always concern about bioterrorism, so better defense strategies are a relief.
- Hopefully, it's something we never need to worry about.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Military (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies shifting towards greater urban safety are always welcome from a personal security standpoint.
- Maintains the peace of mind I value.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $800000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $1000000000)
Year 2: $820000000 (Low: $710000000, High: $1030000000)
Year 3: $840000000 (Low: $720000000, High: $1060000000)
Year 5: $880000000 (Low: $740000000, High: $1120000000)
Year 10: $960000000 (Low: $780000000, High: $1220000000)
Year 100: $1700000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $2000000000)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring adequate funding for the new CWMD initiatives to effectively counter new and emerging threats.
- Integration of public health and safety measures may enhance overall resilience against health crises.
- Establishing effective reporting and strategy frameworks to ensure accountability and transparency to Congress and the public.