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Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025

11/20/2025, 5:38 AM

Summary of Bill HR 1608

Bill 119 hr 1608, also known as the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act, was introduced in the US Congress to address the growing concern of vehicular terrorism. The bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security must produce a comprehensive report on emerging threats and countermeasures related to vehicular terrorism.

The report will analyze the current landscape of vehicular terrorism, including tactics, trends, and potential targets. It will also assess the effectiveness of existing countermeasures and recommend new strategies to prevent and respond to vehicular attacks.

The goal of the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act is to enhance the nation's preparedness and resilience against this evolving threat. By providing policymakers and law enforcement agencies with valuable insights and recommendations, the bill aims to improve the security of public spaces and critical infrastructure. In addition to the report, the bill may also include provisions for funding research and development of new technologies and tactics to combat vehicular terrorism. It may also establish partnerships with international allies to share information and best practices in this area. Overall, the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act seeks to strengthen the nation's defenses against this growing threat and ensure the safety and security of the American people.

Congressional Summary of HR 1608

Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit a report to Congress on the department's efforts to prevent, deter, and respond to vehicular terrorism (i.e., an action that utilizes automotive transportation to commit terrorism). DHS must submit the report in coordination with the Transportation Security Administration and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Among other things, the report on vehicular terrorism must include

  • an assessment of the current and emerging threats;
  • a review of higher-risk locations and events that may be vulnerable, including critical infrastructure sites (e.g., airports and government facilities);
  • a description of DHS’s coordination efforts with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies related to prevention; and
  • recommendations for the research, development, and deployment of technologies to detect, deter, and mitigate vehicular terrorism.

DHS must submit a classified report to Congress, but may include an unclassified executive summary. DHS must publish the executive summary on the department's website.

In addition, DHS must brief Congress on the report's findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Current Status of Bill HR 1608

Bill HR 1608 is currently in the status of Passed in House since November 17, 2025. Bill HR 1608 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on February 26, 2025.  Bill HR 1608's most recent activity was Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. as of November 18, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 1608

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
3
Democrat Cosponsors
1
Republican Cosponsors
2
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 1608

Primary Policy Focus

Transportation and Public Works

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 1608

To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to produce a report on emerging threats and countermeasures related to vehicular terrorism, and for other purposes.
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to produce a report on emerging threats and countermeasures related to vehicular terrorism, and for other purposes.

Comments

Esmeralda Lanier profile image

Esmeralda Lanier

26,026

7 months ago

Why does this bill matter and who does it really help? #confused #notsure #needmoreinfo

Coraline Buckley profile image

Coraline Buckley

25,681

3 months ago

I don't get why this bill is needed. Seems like a waste of time and money. How does this even affect regular folks like me? Who does this bill really help?

Legacy Chu profile image

Legacy Chu

25,791

7 months ago

this bill is so sad, it gonna make things worse for us all. i dont like it at all. #nothanks

Ayla Boykin profile image

Ayla Boykin

25,131

3 months ago

This bill is a joke. It's just another way for the government to control us and invade our privacy. They claim it's for preventing terrorism, but all it's going to do is make it harder for regular citizens to go about their daily lives. I don't want Big Brother watching my every move just because of some vague threat of terrorism. This bill is a violation of our rights and I won't stand for it. The short term affects of this bill will only lead to more government overreach and restrictions on our freedom.