# Understanding the Directed Energy Threat Emergency Response Act

Since 2016, American government workers and their families stationed around the world have reported mysterious health problems that scientists believe might be caused by directed energy weapons—invisible beams that can cause brain injuries. These incidents, sometimes called "Havana Syndrome" because they were first reported at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, have left some people with permanent neurological damage that ended their careers. Over 130 cases have been reported across Asia, Europe, and the Western Hemisphere, including inside the United States. This bill creates a coordinated government response to investigate what's happening, help the victims, and figure out who might be behind these attacks.

The bill establishes a new position called the Anomalous Health Incidents Interagency Coordinator—essentially a point person in the White House who will oversee the government's response across all relevant agencies. This coordinator will make sure that affected workers and their families get consistent medical care and treatment, regardless of which agency they work for. Right now, different agencies handle these cases separately, which means some people might get better care than others. The coordinator will also work to figure out what's actually causing these injuries, develop ways to protect people from future attacks, and share information between agencies so investigators can piece together what's happening. The bill requires the government to set up secure ways for workers to report suspected incidents without fear of punishment or retaliation from their employers.

The bill also allocates $50 million in funding—$45 million to the Department of Defense and $5 million to the State Department—to expand medical capacity for treating victims, conduct research into the cause of these injuries, and develop protective measures. Congress will receive quarterly briefings on progress, and the government must provide unclassified summaries to the public about what's being learned. If investigations determine that a foreign country or specific individuals are responsible for these attacks, the bill makes clear that the U.S. government should publicly identify them and hold them accountable through sanctions, criminal prosecution, or other means.

Directed Energy Threat Emergency Response Act

Spanberger, Abigail Davis

Directed Energy Threat Emergency Response Act This bill requires actions to address anomalous health incidents. The President must designate an appropriate senior official as the Anomalous Health Incidents Interagency Coordinator. The interagency coordinator must (1) coordinate the U.S. government's response to anomalous health incidents, (2) ensure that affected personnel and dependents get access to care, and (3) ensure adequate training and education for relevant U.S. government personnel. The President must also appoint an appropriate senior official as the Deputy Anomalous Health Incidents Interagency Coordinator. The bill also requires certain agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, to designate an appropriate senior official to serve as the Anomalous Health Incident Agency Coordination Lead. These officials must work with the interagency coordinator to (1) achieve objectives related to anomalous health incidents, and (2) jointly provide quarterly briefings to Congress on its activities. Such agencies must also develop updated workplace guidance to address anomalous health incidents. The bill authorizes the Department of State to take certain actions, such as increasing staffing for the Health Incident Response Task Force and collecting data related to anomalous health incidents.