Nuclear Forensics Authority Realignment Act

Bill Foster

Democrat · IL · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Joseph D. Morelle (D-NY-25)Original· 2026-05-21
• Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-4)Original· 2026-05-21

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2026-05-21

Source: Congress.gov

The federal government would move its nuclear forensics and attribution work—the scientific analysis used to identify the source and origin of nuclear materials—from the Department of Homeland Security to the National Nuclear Security Administration, which is part of the Energy Department. This reorganization would consolidate nuclear expertise and investigation capabilities in one agency rather than splitting them between two departments. The change would primarily affect how federal agencies coordinate on nuclear security matters and investigate potential nuclear threats.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8969 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8969 To realign the nuclear forensics and attribution activities of the Federal Government from the Department of Homeland Security to the National Nuclear Security Administration. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 21, 2026 Mr. Foster (for himself, Mr. DesJarlais, and Mr. Morelle) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To realign the nuclear forensics and attribution activities of the Federal Government from the Department of Homeland Security to the National Nuclear Security Administration. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Nuclear Forensics Authority Realignment Act''. SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL NUCLEAR FORENSICS CENTER. (a) Establishment.-- (1) In general.--The National Nuclear Security Administration Act (50 U.S.C. 2401 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 3221 the following new section: ``SEC. 3222. NATIONAL NUCLEAR FORENSICS CENTER. ``(a) Establishment.--There is within the Administration a National Nuclear Forensics Center (in this section referred to as the `Center'). ``(b) Mission.--The mission of the Center shall be to coordinate stewardship, planning, assessment, gap analysis, exercises, improvement, including operational improvements and research, development, testing, and evaluation, and integration for all Federal nuclear forensics and attribution activities to ensure an enduring national technical nuclear forensics capability to strengthen the collective response of the United States to nuclear terrorism or other nuclear attacks.''. (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents at the beginning of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3221 the following new item: ``Sec. 3222. National Nuclear Forensics Center.''. (3) Nuclear forensics expertise.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator for Nuclear Security shall develop and implement a plan to modify the university program of the National Nuclear Security Administration established under section 6338 of title 10, United States Code, to include the development of expertise in nuclear forensics in supporting scientific and engineering advancement in key Department of Energy defense and national security program areas. (b) Conforming Repeals.-- (1) In general.--The Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act (Public Law 111-140) is hereby repealed. (2) Homeland security act of 2002.--Title XIX of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 590 et seq.) is amended as follows: (A) In section 1923-- (i) in subsection (a)-- (I) by striking ``(a) Mission.--''; (II) in paragraph (9), by striking the semicolon and inserting ``; and''; (III) by striking paragraphs (10), (11), (12), and (13); and (IV) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (10); and (ii) by striking subsection (b). (B) In section 1927(a)(1) (6 U.S.C. 596a(a)(1))-- (i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking the semicolon and inserting ``; and''; (ii) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period; and (iii) by striking subparagraph (C). (c) References and Construction.--Any reference in any law, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center established within the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department of Homeland Security, formerly the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, shall be deemed to be a reference to the National Nuclear Forensics Center established by section 3222…

of the National Nuclear Security Administration Act, as added by subsection (a). <all>

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