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HR 2674

Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act

119th Congress Introduced by Troy Carter and 3 co-sponsors

Establishes a DHS climate change research program to study climate risks to homeland security and guide resilience, planning, and decisions across DHS and partners.

Introduced in House
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Bill Summary · HR 2674

Summary of HR 2674 — Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act

Status: Introduced in the House on April 7, 2025. Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology and to the House Committee on Homeland Security. Primary sponsor: Yvette D. Clarke. Cosponsors: Troy A. Carter, Timothy M. Kennedy, Bennie G. Thompson.

Purpose and intent

HR 2674, titled the Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act, appears to aim at strengthening the federal government’s capacity to understand and respond to climate-related risks as they affect homeland security. Based on the title and standard bill structure, the bill would authorize or establish a climate change research program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to study how climate change affects DHS missions, operations, and resilience. The goal is to inform policy, planning, and operational decisions to enhance national security and critical infrastructure protection in the face of climate-related hazards.

Key provisions (as typically reflected by this type of bill)

  • Establishment or designation of a climate change research program within DHS, or designation of a lead DHS component to coordinate climate research activities.
  • mandate to study climate-related threats to homeland security, including but not limited to extreme weather, sea-level rise, wildfires, flooding, drought, and related impacts on DHS missions (border security, coastal operations, emergency response, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity linked to climate risk, etc.).
  • Requirements for interagency coordination with other federal agencies (e.g., DHS Science and Technology Directorate, FEMA, Coast Guard, CBP) and, potentially, state and local partners.
  • development of data collection, modeling, risk assessment, and scenario planning to support resilience and adaptation planning for DHS operations and assets.
  • reporting responsibilities, including periodic reports to Congress on findings, risk assessments, and recommended actions or investments.
  • potential authorization of funding or guidance on appropriations for DHS climate research activities, with timelines and milestones to be defined in the enacted text.
  • provisions for collaboration with academic, industry, and research institutions to advance DHS climate research objectives.

Who would be affected

  • Department of Homeland Security components (e.g., Coast Guard, FEMA, CBP, DHS S&T) and DHS-wide research efforts.
  • DHS partners in state, local, tribal, and territorial governments involved in disaster preparedness and resilience planning.
  • Researchers, universities, and private sector entities partnering with DHS on climate science and technology development.
  • Programs and operations sensitive to climate risk (ports, aviation, energy infrastructure, critical supply chains, emergency response and recovery efforts).

Timeline and process

  • Introduced in the House on April 7, 2025.
  • Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology and the House Committee on Homeland Security for consideration.
  • as with most legislation, enactment would require passage by both chambers of Congress and signature by the President; otherwise, the bill would not become law.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Positive: strengthens DHS’s ability to anticipate and mitigate climate risks, potentially improving resilience of critical infrastructure and DHS missions; fosters data-driven decisionmaking and interagency collaboration.
  • Budgetary and administrative: heretofore unspecified funding levels; enactment would likely involve establishing new programs, reporting requirements, and potential staffing needs.
  • Broader implications: could influence federal adaptation and resilience priorities, spur innovation through partnerships, and shape long-term preparedness planning across DHS components.

Note: The exact statutory text would define specific programs, funding, milestones, and reporting deadlines. This summary reflects the bill’s stated title, sponsor information, and typical elements of climate research legislation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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