Strong’s Homeland Security Preparedness Measures Advance through Committee

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Dale Strong, Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, secured committee approval this week for two key homeland security measures aimed at strengthening aviation security and enhancing the Nation's preparedness for emerging threats.

The House Committee on Homeland Security approved the SAFEGUARDS Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure passenger security fees are reinvested in aviation security infrastructure and technology. The Committee also approved the Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act of 2026, legislation designed to strengthen the Nation's readiness for potential attacks targeting the food and agriculture sector.

"Keeping Americans safe requires both investing in proven security capabilities and preparing for the threats of tomorrow. These measures ensure that critical security resources are used as intended while strengthening our ability to prevent and respond to evolving threats," said Representative Dale Strong. "From ensuring our aviation security systems have the resources they need to keep travelers safe, to protecting our food supply, we are taking decisive steps to enhance our Nation's security, resilience, and preparedness."

SAFEGUARDS Act:

The SAFEGUARDS Act would ensure revenue collected through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 9/11 Passenger Security Fee is invested in aviation and airport security, consistent with the fee's original intent. The legislation supports long-term investments in checked baggage screening systems and advanced checkpoint technologies to strengthen security and improve efficiency at airports across the country.

The SAFEGUARDS Act is supported by the Huntsville International Airport, Airlines for America, American Airlines, U.S. Travel Association, Southwest Airlines, Airport Council International - North America, and American Association of Airport Executives.

Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act:

The Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a nationwide exercise focused on preventing, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating an agroterrorism attack targeting the Nation's food and agriculture sector. The exercise would bring together Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial partners, as well as private-sector stakeholders, to identify preparedness gaps and strengthen coordination before a real-world incident occurs.

The legislation, which Strong introduced earlier this week, builds upon his work examining threats to America's food and agriculture sector, including the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee's two-part hearing series on agroterrorism and agricultural security last year.

As Chairman of the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, Representative Strong has built a proven record of prioritizing efforts to modernize homeland security capabilities, strengthen critical infrastructure protection, and improve preparedness for emerging threats.

###