House unanimously approves bill to boost agroterrorism preparedness

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong sponsored H.R. 9394, the Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act of 2026, and the measure cleared the House with unanimous support. The legislation tasks the Department of Homeland Security with organizing a comprehensive, nation-wide exercise aimed at preventing, responding to, and recovering from potential agroterrorism incidents. The drill will bring together federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities along with private-sector stakeholders to identify gaps and improve coordination before any real attack occurs.

Strong, who chairs the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, said the bill builds on prior hearings about threats to the food supply. Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino echoed the sentiment, calling the act vital for safeguarding America’s agricultural infrastructure. If enacted, the exercise would enhance readiness across the entire food chain.