January 7, 2026
Mr. James (for himself and Mr. Ryan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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
To amend the National Security Act of 1947 to include school security as an element of the National Security Strategy, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Inclusion of school security in the National Security Strategy
Section 108(b) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3043(b)) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(2)
by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph:
(5)
The strategies and capabilities needed to ensure the safety and security of schools in the United States, including elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education.
Sec. 2. Assessment of threats to schools in the United States
(a) Assessment
The Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of threats to elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education in the United States.
(b) Consultation with States
In conducting the assessment subsection (a), the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the chief executive of each State.
(c) Report
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees and congressional leadership a report on the results of the assessment conducted under subsection (a).
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term appropriate congressional committees means—
(A)
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
(B)
the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.
(2)
The term congressional leadership means—
(A)
the majority leader of the Senate;
(B)
the minority leader of the Senate;
(C)
the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
(D)
the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(3)
The terms elementary school, secondary school, and State have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(4)
The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).