HR 3224 United States House · 118th Congress

Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023

This bill extends the authorization period for the Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office from 5 to 7 years. It does not change the office's core mission but adds two new requirements: (1) a 180-day report on employee engagement plans, and (2) a one-year review by the Comptroller General on the office's program prioritization and coordination. The extension specifically excludes sections related to the Chief Medical Officer and medical countermeasures programs (sections 1931-1932). The bill primarily affects the DHS office's operational timeline and internal accountability, with no new policy changes for external stakeholders.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2023

Committee Review

Dec 2023

House Passage

Dec 2023

Senate Passage

President

Introduced May 11, 2023 Last action Dec 12, 2023

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 2 edits · Dec 11, 2023

MINOR

The engrossed version significantly shortens the extension of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMDO) from seven years after enactment down to two years after enactment. The original introduced bill would have kept the office authorized for a full seven-year period, but the engrossed version replaces that with a much shorter two-year sunset, meaning Congress will need to act again sooner to keep the office operational.

TIMELINE

The CWMDO authorization extension was reduced from seven years after enactment of this Act to two years after enactment. This is the most significant substantive change in the bill.

TECHNICAL

The exception for sections 1931 and 1932 (Chief Medical Officer and medical countermeasures program) was reworded to reference the new subsection (e) termination date rather than the old subsection (a), aligning the cross-reference with the restructured amendment.

Floor votes · House Dec 11, 2023

How they voted

394–0

Passed · 39 other

Total votes 433

Dec 11, 2023

D Democratic213

187 Yea 26

87% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican219

206 Yea 13

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Dec 12, 2023

Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

upper

Dec 11, 2023

Introduced

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 0 (Roll no. 707). (text: CR H6759)

lower

Dec 11, 2023

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 0 (Roll no. 707). (text: CR H6759)

lower

Dec 11, 2023

Introduced

Mr. D'Esposito moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

lower

Jul 27, 2023

Lower · Passed

Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 118-159.

lower

May 17, 2023

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

lower

May 11, 2023

Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

lower

May 11, 2023

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors