Key Takeaways
• Biden’s FY 2026 budget proposes dismantling the CWMD Office, shifting 286 positions and $306.2M funding within DHS.
• Key CWMD programs like BioWatch and NBIC would transfer to different DHS components including CISA and Coast Guard.
• Former leader Mary Ellen Callahan warns this move risks weakened CBRN threat defenses before major 2026 global events.
The Biden Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes a sweeping change: the complete dismantling of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office. If approved, this move would shift the office’s responsibilities to other parts of DHS, changing how the United States 🇺🇸 prepares for and responds to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. This proposal comes at a time when global security concerns are rising and the United States 🇺🇸 is preparing to host major international events, raising questions about the timing and impact of such a major reorganization.
What Is Happening and Why?
The Biden Administration’s FY 2026 budget request, released in early 2025, calls for the complete breakup of the CWMD Office. All of its staff, funding, and programs would be moved to other DHS components. The administration says this change will make DHS more efficient and effective by putting programs in the hands of the “logical owners and end users” within the department.
Key points of the proposal:
– All 286 positions, 263 full-time equivalents (FTEs), and $306.2 million in funding would be transferred to other DHS components.
– CWMD strategy and policy work would move to the DHS Office of Policy.
– The National BioSurveillance Integration Center (NBIC) would shift to the DHS Office of Health Security, along with 25 staff positions.
– Operational programs and 186 positions would move to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
– Research and development staff would transfer to the U.S. Coast Guard.
According to the administration, this reorganization is meant to “create synergies and efficiencies” and keep strong leadership in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) policy areas, while letting the most relevant DHS offices run the programs.
What Does the CWMD Office Do?
The CWMD Office was created to protect the United States 🇺🇸 from some of the most dangerous threats: chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons (often called CBRN threats). These threats can come from hostile countries, terrorist groups, or even individuals. The office works with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as the private sector, to prevent these weapons from being used and to help the country prepare for possible attacks.
Main programs and responsibilities include:
– Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA): A system to detect and stop nuclear threats before they reach the United States 🇺🇸.
– Chemical and biological defense: Coordinating efforts to spot and respond to chemical and biological attacks.
– Urban area protection: Helping cities detect and prevent terrorist attacks using nuclear or radiological materials.
– BioWatch: A program that monitors the air in major cities for dangerous biological agents.
– Securing the Cities: Providing cities with tools and training to detect and stop CBRN threats.
– Mobile Detection Deployment Program (MDDP): Sending teams and equipment to support large events or emergencies.
– CBRN Training and Exercise: Teaching first responders and officials how to handle CBRN incidents.
The office currently operates with a budget of about $418 million for FY 2025 and employs 259 people.
Why Is the Biden Administration Proposing This Change?
The administration argues that splitting up the CWMD Office will make DHS work better by:
– Reducing overlap: Putting programs in the hands of the most relevant offices.
– Improving efficiency: Making it easier to manage and run programs.
– Strengthening policy leadership: Keeping policy work together in the Office of Policy.
The official budget documents state that the goal is to “maintain valuable policy leadership in the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear subject matter area while putting the program execution in the hands of the Department’s logical owners and end users.”
Who Opposes the Plan and Why?
Not everyone agrees with the administration’s plan. Mary Ellen Callahan, who led the CWMD Office from 2023 to 2025, has spoken out strongly against the proposal. In an April 2025 opinion piece, she called the move “a grave mistake.”
Her main concerns:
– The CWMD Office is the main group leading the country’s efforts to detect and stop CBRN threats.
– New technologies are making it easier for terrorists and other groups to get access to dangerous weapons.
– The office’s budget is less than 1% of the total DHS budget, which she says is “a small price to pay for an insurance policy against events that could kill thousands and cause trillions in economic damage.”
– With the United States 🇺🇸 set to host the FIFA World Cup and Summer Olympics soon, getting rid of the office could leave cities without the tools, expertise, and staff needed to protect against CBRN threats in less than 18 months.
Callahan’s warning is especially important because these major events will bring large crowds and global attention, making them possible targets for attacks.
How Did the CWMD Office Start?
The CWMD Office was created during President Trump’s first term, after Congress passed the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018. Before that, different parts of DHS handled CBRN threats separately, which made it harder to coordinate and respond quickly. The new office brought these efforts together under one roof.
Since its creation, the office has enjoyed strong support from both political parties. In 2023, the House of Representatives voted unanimously to reauthorize the office, showing its importance to national security.
What’s the Budget Situation?
The proposal to dismantle the CWMD Office is part of the larger FY 2026 budget process. The Future Years Homeland Security Program (FYHSP) for 2025-2029, released in September 2024, lays out a five-year plan for DHS spending.
The current FY 2025 budget keeps the CWMD Office running, but with less money and fewer staff than before. The office’s budget for FY 2025 is about $418 million, which is $12.9 million less than the previous year and includes 10 fewer positions.
DHS has faced budget uncertainty in recent years, with Congress struggling to agree on long-term spending plans. This has led to threats of government shutdowns and made it harder for DHS to plan for the future.
What Happens Next?
The plan to break up the CWMD Office needs approval from Congress as part of the FY 2026 appropriations process. Given the office’s history of bipartisan support and the concerns raised by former officials, lawmakers are likely to look closely at the proposal.
The House Homeland Security Committee held hearings on the FY 2025 DHS budget request in April 2024. While the committee’s chairman, Mark Green, raised concerns about the administration’s homeland security priorities, there was no specific discussion of the CWMD Office in the available records.
If Congress approves the plan, it would be one of the biggest changes to DHS in years, affecting how the United States 🇺🇸 prepares for and responds to some of the most serious threats.
What Does This Mean for Stakeholders?
For State and Local Governments
State and local officials rely on the CWMD Office for training, equipment, and support to protect their communities from CBRN threats. Programs like BioWatch and Securing the Cities help cities prepare for emergencies and large events. If these programs are moved to other parts of DHS, there could be confusion or delays in getting help where it’s needed.
For First Responders
Police, firefighters, and emergency medical teams count on the CWMD Office for training and resources. The office’s Mobile Detection Deployment Program sends teams and equipment to help at big events or during emergencies. Changes to how these programs are managed could affect how quickly and effectively first responders can act.
For Major Event Organizers
With the United States 🇺🇸 preparing to host the FIFA World Cup and Summer Olympics, event organizers are working closely with DHS and the CWMD Office to keep people safe. The office’s expertise and resources are critical for planning and responding to possible CBRN threats. If the office is dismantled, organizers may have to work with new contacts and systems, which could slow down preparations.
For the Private Sector
Many private companies, especially those in transportation, energy, and healthcare, work with the CWMD Office to protect their operations from CBRN threats. The office provides guidance, training, and support to help companies prepare for and respond to emergencies. Moving these functions to other parts of DHS could create uncertainty about who to contact and how to get help.
For Immigrants and International Travelers
While the CWMD Office does not directly handle immigration, its work affects everyone living in or visiting the United States 🇺🇸. Strong defenses against CBRN threats help keep borders, airports, and cities safe for all residents and visitors. Changes to how these defenses are managed could have ripple effects on travel and security procedures.
Key Programs at Risk
Several important programs could be affected by the breakup of the CWMD Office:
- BioWatch: Monitors the air in major cities for dangerous biological agents. Early detection can save lives in the event of a biological attack.
- Securing the Cities: Helps cities build up their ability to detect and stop CBRN threats.
- Mobile Detection Deployment Program (MDDP): Sends teams and equipment to support large events or emergencies.
- Chemical Support and CBRN Training: Provides training and technical help to first responders and officials.
If these programs are moved to new offices, there could be a learning curve as new staff take over, and some programs could face delays or changes in how they operate.
What Are the Risks?
Former officials like Mary Ellen Callahan warn that breaking up the CWMD Office could weaken the United States 🇺🇸 ability to detect and stop CBRN threats. They point out that new technologies are making it easier for terrorists and other groups to get access to dangerous weapons. With major international events coming up, the timing of the change could leave cities and first responders without the tools and expertise they need.
The office’s budget is a small part of the overall DHS budget, but its work is critical for national security. As Callahan put it, it’s “a small price to pay for an insurance policy against events that could kill thousands and cause trillions in economic damage.”
What Should Stakeholders Do Now?
- Stay informed: Follow updates from DHS and Congress about the status of the CWMD Office and related programs.
- Engage with lawmakers: State and local officials, first responders, and private sector partners should share their concerns and needs with members of Congress.
- Plan for changes: If the reorganization is approved, stakeholders should be ready to work with new DHS contacts and systems.
- Review emergency plans: Make sure that plans for responding to CBRN threats are up to date and include contact information for new DHS offices if needed.
For more information about DHS programs and the budget process, readers can visit the official Department of Homeland Security Budget and Performance page.
Conclusion
The Biden Administration’s proposal to dismantle the CWMD Office marks a major shift in how the United States 🇺🇸 prepares for and responds to some of the most serious threats facing the country. While the administration says the change will make DHS more efficient, former officials and many stakeholders worry that it could weaken the country’s defenses at a critical time. Congress will play a key role in deciding whether the plan moves forward, and the outcome will have lasting effects on national security, public safety, and the ability of cities and states to protect their residents.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the debate over the future of the CWMD Office highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing efficiency with the need for strong, coordinated defenses against ever-evolving threats. Stakeholders should watch developments closely and be ready to adapt as the situation unfolds.
Learn Today
CWMD Office → A DHS office focused on countering chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
CBRN → Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear threats posing risks to national security.
NBIC → National BioSurveillance Integration Center; integrates biological threat data for DHS response.
FTE → Full-Time Equivalent; a unit measuring employed persons’ workload in full-time positions.
FY 2026 budget → The fiscal year 2026 funding plan proposed by the Biden Administration for DHS.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Biden Administration plans to dismantle the CWMD Office, redistributing its roles across DHS to improve efficiency. Critics warn this risks national security as high-profile events approach. The proposal shifts hundreds of positions and millions in funds while aiming for stronger policy focus and operational efficiency.
— By VisaVerge.com
