Title 50 — War and National DefenseRelease 119-73

§2311 Response to threats of terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction

Title 50 › Chapter CHAPTER 40— - DEFENSE AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS › § 2311

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

President must act right away to make the federal government better at preventing and responding to terrorist attacks with weapons of mass destruction and to give stronger help to state and local emergency responders. By January 31, 1997, the President must send Congress a report that assesses current capabilities, states what must be improved, and explains the steps—including extra money and legal authority—needed to make those improvements.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §2311

War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In light of the potential for terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction against the United States, the President shall take immediate action—

(1)to enhance the capability of the Federal Government to prevent and respond to terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction; and

(2)to provide enhanced support to improve the capabilities of State and local emergency response agencies to prevent and respond to such incidents at both the national and the local level.

(b)Not later than January 31, 1997, the President shall transmit to Congress a report containing—

(1)an assessment of the capabilities of the Federal Government to prevent and respond to terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction and to support State and local prevention and response efforts;

(2)requirements for improvements in those capabilities; and

(3)the measures that should be taken to achieve such improvements, including additional resources and legislative authorities that would be required.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

50 U.S.C. § 2311

Title 50 — War and National Defense

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73