The bill mandates Homeland Security to conduct an exercise focusing on a terrorist attack during extreme cold, especially the impact on critical infrastructure and how to mitigate such effects. It requires coordination with various stakeholders and the development of an after-action report to share findings and propose any legislative changes. The bill's intended impact is to ensure the readiness of the United States to manage terrorist attacks during extreme cold weather events and strengthen the resilience of communities and critical infrastructure.
Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025
This 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.
