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On May 22, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 1238 in a bipartisan roll call vote, 406-6.
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The Act would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Health Affairs responsible for coordinating the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security related to food, agriculture, and veterinary defense against terrorism, and for other purposes.
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Of note, the Act would not alter or supersede the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to food and agriculture.
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The United States Senate is currently considering the bill, amended to carve out the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services in addition to the existing carve-out for the Secretary of Agriculture.
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The ultimate impact of this legislation remains to be seen, but this bill is seen as an important step in combatting potential terrorist acts.
