House Passes HR 3583 – The PREPARE Act

This evening the House passed HR 3583, the PREPARE Act. There were only sixteen minutes of debate and a voice vote. The bill reauthorizes and makes minor modifications to a number of emergency response and planning grant programs.

The bill requires a DHS report on the cybersecurity of FirstNet, the nationwide first responder network. It also requires DHS to establish a Social Media Working Group to enhance public communications during emergencies. And it requires the DHS Office of Health Affairs to establish a medical stockpile program for DHS employees.

It is likely that this bill will be taken up by the Senate under their unanimous consent procedures; again with limited debate and no actual vote.