HR 5193119th CongressIn Committee

To direct the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to conduct a feasibility study on incorporating militarily-relevant applications of emerging biotechnology into wargaming exercises, and for other purposes.

Introduced: Sep 8, 2025

Defense & National SecurityTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill directs the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to lead a feasibility review on whether and how to modify U.S. wargaming exercises to incorporate militarily relevant applications of emerging biotechnology. The study would consider biotechnology-enabled enhancements to warfighters, biotech chemicals or materials that could provide battlefield advantages, and adversaries’ use of biotechnology beyond traditional biological weapons. The bill requires consultation with combatant commanders and other stakeholders, and it mandates a report to Congress within 180 days outlining recommended modifications to wargaming and a plan to keep designs updated as biotechnology advances. A key definitional element is that “wargaming exercises” include the Globally Integrated Wargames.

Key Points

1Directs the JCS Chairman to conduct a feasibility and advisability review of integrating militarily relevant biotechnology into wargaming designs.
2Requires the review to consider specific elements: biotechnology-enabled cognitive/physical enhancements for warfighters; biotechnology-enabled chemicals and materials that could provide battlefield advantages; and adversaries’ biotechnology developments beyond traditional biological weapons, plus other relevant applications.
3Obligates consultation with combatant command leaders and other relevant stakeholders inside and outside the Department of Defense to identify recent biologically relevant advances that could be incorporated.
4Creates a reporting deadline: not later than 180 days after enactment, with a detailed summary of recommended wargame modifications and, if applicable, a plan to regularly update wargame designs to match biotech progress.
5Defines wargaming broadly to include exercises that test and improve tactical expertise and explicitly includes Globally Integrated Wargames.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and organizations responsible for military training and wargaming (e.g., combatant commands).Secondary group/area affected: Policymakers (Congress), allied/partner military planners observing or participating in wargames, and the biotechnology/defense research and industry communities involved in dual-use technologies.Additional impacts: Potential implications for ethics, safety, governance, and regulatory oversight of biotech in military contexts; possible shifts in training budgets and resource allocation; considerations around dual-use risks, international norms, and arms-control/liability concerns; need for ongoing governance to prevent misuse and ensure appropriate protections as biotechnology evolves.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 8, 2025