H.R. 1608 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Nov 17, 2025. Received Nov 18, 2025; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires DHS to assess vehicular terrorism threats
This bill asks the Department of Homeland Security to study how vehicles could be used in terrorist attacks and report back to Congress. The report must look at current threats, vulnerable locations like airports and government buildings, how different law enforcement agencies are working together to prevent attacks, and what new technologies could help detect or stop vehicular terrorism. DHS will give Congress both a classified report and a public summary.
How it affects you
This bill doesn't directly change anything in your daily life right now. It's asking the government to study the threat and share what it finds, which could eventually shape how security is planned at public events and critical locations. The public summary will be available online so you can see what DHS learns about these vulnerabilities and prevention efforts.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 26, 2025)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1608
AN ACT
Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL-28) · Introduced Feb 26, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Nov 18, 2025: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Nov 17, 2025
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 400–15
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 207 | 0 | 7 |
| Republicans | 193 | 15 | 11 |
15 members voted against most of their party: 15 Republicans voted No.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.