Title 50, War and National DefenseRelease 119-110
§2311 Response to Threats of Terrorist Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Title 50 › CHAPTER 40 — DEFENSE AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION › SUBCHAPTER I — DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS › § 2311
Summary
The President must act right away to make the federal government better at preventing and responding to terrorist attacks that use 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 reviews federal and state/local capabilities, says what needs to be improved, and explains the steps, extra resources, and legal powers needed to do that.
Full Legal Text
Title 50, §2311
War and National Defense, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Enhanced response capability
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)Report required
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
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110