Miller-Meeks Introduces Legislation to Support DHS Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, May 17th, 2021, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) introduced the DHS Medical Countermeasures Act. This legislation would support and protect the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) workforce and Department mission continuity by requiring the Secretary to establish a medical countermeasures program to protect employees and working animals in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive attack, naturally occurring disease outbreak or pandemic.

“Countless Americans put their lives on the line daily for others, including the men and women at DHS. Throughout the pandemic, agents and officers protected our borders, secured our transportation system, and took a lead role in the response to the pandemic,” said Miller-Meeks. “My legislation would work to protect DHS officials and to ensure successful operations. It is imperative that materials and processes are put in place to protect the safety and welfare of employees, and to ensure effective pandemic and disaster planning and response for mission continuity.”

Background:

This legislation would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a medical countermeasures program in DHS. Oversight of the countermeasures program would be under the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) who would be required to maintain a stockpile of medical countermeasures, develop Department-wide standards for storage, security, placement, dispensing, and documentation of countermeasures, preposition countermeasures in strategic locations, ensure rapid deployment and dispensing of countermeasures, and support dispensing exercises.

The bill requires the establishment of a medical countermeasures working group comprised of representatives from relevant DHS components and offices to ensure medical countermeasures standards are maintained and guidance is consistent. Finally, the CMO would be required to develop an integrated logistics support plan for medical countermeasures that includes a methodology for determining types and quantities of countermeasures, inventory tracking, and a replenishment plan for existing stockpiles.

The Department of Homeland Security has over 240,000 employees tasked with jobs ranging from border and aviation security to emergency response and cybersecurity, but with one, common goal: keeping America safe.

To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE.

###