---
kind: "section"
citation: "50 U.S.C. § 2311"
title: "50"
title_heading: "War and National Defense"
number: "2311"
heading: "Response to threats of terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/50/2311"
units:
  - "Chapter 40 — Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction"
  - "Subchapter I — Domestic Preparedness"
---

# §2311. Response to threats of terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction

- (a) **Enhanced response capability—** In light of the potential for terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction against the United States, the President shall take immediate action—
  - (1) to enhance the capability of the Federal Government to prevent and respond to terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction; and
  - (2) to provide enhanced support to improve the capabilities of State and local emergency response agencies to prevent and respond to such incidents at both the national and the local level.
- (b) **Report required—** Not later than January 31, 1997, the President shall transmit to Congress a report containing—
  - (1) an assessment of the capabilities of the Federal Government to prevent and respond to terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction and to support State and local prevention and response efforts;
  - (2) requirements for improvements in those capabilities; and
  - (3) the measures that should be taken to achieve such improvements, including additional resources and legislative authorities that would be required.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XIV, § 1411, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2717.)