DHS must test food-supply defense against bioterrorism within four years

What it does

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a large-scale emergency exercise within four years to test the nation's preparedness for an agroterrorism attack—a terrorist act targeting agriculture and food systems. The exercise must simulate both the entry of biological agents into the U.S. and their deployment within the country, involve federal, state, local, and private sector partners, and result in a report to Congress with findings and recommendations for improving defenses.

Why we flagged it

The bill's core function is to mandate a federal emergency exercise and reporting requirement designed to strengthen homeland security and public resilience. It is a straightforward public-safety measure with no private carve-outs or narrow beneficiaries.

What the text implies

• Exercise may reveal classified vulnerabilities in food supply chain security, which could inform both defensive improvements and potential attack vectors—classified findings will be withheld from public view.
• Private sector participation (food and agricultural facility owners) will gain insight into federal response protocols and resource allocation priorities, potentially informing their own security investments.
• The 4-year timeline and post-exercise reporting may delay legislative action on identified gaps, leaving vulnerabilities unaddressed during the interim period.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

The bill strengthens public safety by requiring systematic testing of the nation's ability to respond to a serious threat to food and agricultural systems. Citizens depend on food supply security; an exercise that identifies and addresses preparedness gaps reduces vulnerability to disruption and improves collective response capacity.

Named in the bill

Department of Homeland Security, House Committee on Homeland Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Federal departments and agencies, State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies, Food and agricultural facility owners and operators, Agriculture and food critical infrastructure sector

Where it stands

1 cosponsor: 1 Democrats.

• Jun 23, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Jun 23, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Homeland Security and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security”
• Jun 24, 2026 — Markup held in committee · Congress.gov: “Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held”
• Jun 24, 2026 — Reported out of committee · Congress.gov: “Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0”
• Sep 16, 2026 — Passed the House · Congress.gov: “On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote”
• Sep 16, 2026 — Floor vote scheduled · Congress.gov: “Mr. Van Epps moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.