HR 7512 Introduced – CWMD Authorization

 Back in February, Rep Ogles (R,TN) introduced HR 7512, the Preserving Counterterrorism Capabilities Act of 2026. This bill is a clean reauthorization of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction. It changes the date in 6 USC 591(e) for the termination of the authorization of the Office from December 31st, 2023, to February 28th, 2027. No new funding is authorized by this legislation. 

The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office was authorized by 6 USC 591 on December 21st, 2018. That authorization terminated five years later {§591(e)}. Since there are no regulatory issues associated with the Office that need specific authorization, Congress has been able to continue funding the Office in spending bills without extending the termination date. 

Moving Forward  

Ogles is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration. This means that there may be sufficienct influence to see this bill considered in Committee. I see nothing in ths bill that would engender any organized opposition. On the other hand, there is no regulatory issue that demands the reauthorization of this Office. If this bill were considered, I expect that it would receive bipartisan support, probably sufficient support to be considered by the full House under the suspension of the rules process. 

Commentary  

The FY 2027 Budget Request (pg 27) notes that the Administration intends to reorganize the CWMD Office, reducing the funding requested by $40 million. This bill would not address the changes being proposed by the Administration. It is not yet clear if there is support in Committee for the reorganization. If not, there may be changes made in this bill to codify the existing organization so that it would be more difficult to effect an administrative reorganization without specific congressional authorization.