Government
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar recently briefed the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding combating global civil aviation terrorist threats.
The ICAO is a United Nations agency that helps 193... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) is touting the benefits of recently introduced legislation he said seeks to offer wildland firefighter training to Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center students.
The Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act would create a pipeline for Montanans to enter into... Read More »
Worried about the growing illicit use of the animal tranquilizer Xylazine, also known as Tranq, a group of senators and representatives introduced the TRANQ Research Act of 2023 this week to mandate the creation of new tests for its detection and improve understanding overall.
In the Senate,... Read More »
In a move that may speed up processing, 36 credential authentication technology (CAT) units have now been deployed to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints at Baltimore-Washington International (BWI)/Thurgood Marshall Airport.
At the least, it has increased... Read More »
Through an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week awarded an agreement worth up to $128 million to Idemia Identity and Security USA, LLC to create and maintain next-generation Credential Authentication Technology... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), current member and former chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, current Chairman Mark Green (R-TN), and GOP committee members introduced the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023, which seeks to bolster southern border security.
“As chairman... Read More »
After arrests were made in New York last week over an alleged illegal overseas police station, House Committee on Homeland Security chairs wrote to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for information on potential Chinese-operated stations nationwide.... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and eight colleagues are espousing the benefits of reintroducing the Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act.
Specifically, the legislation adds drug smuggling as an additional basis for Title 42 immigration enforcement authority, preserving for... Read More »
A group of 41 Senators recently advocated for $500 million to be allocated to fully fund U.S.-Israel cooperative missile defense programs in the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024.
The lawmakers have forwarded correspondence to Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman... Read More »
In its 2023 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan, recently submitted to Congress, the United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) called for modernization, ongoing production of warheads and plutonium pits, and better nuclear security.
“The SSMP... Read More »
A new bill reintroduced to the Senate this week – the Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act – seeks to address what its Republican sponsors call ambiguity and conflicting application of existing mandates, strengthening violent crime laws in a number of areas.
Attacks on law enforcement,... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Chris Deluzio (D-PA) are touting the recently introduced Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act, which seeks to aid those who respond to train derailments.
“Emergency personnel that respond to devastating accidents, including train... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Commerce recently recommended $562 million in funding for projects the agency maintains would aid communities and the economy with climate change resilience.
Authorities recently outlined 149 projects across 30 coastal states and territories in accordance with the... Read More »
Two legislative panels have introduced legislation that seeks to strengthen and support Coast Guard funding.
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee detailed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2023, which addresses critical... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last week a new competition meant to tap into clean, innovative energy sources to keep essential services functioning even at times of disaster.
The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) launched the Clean Power for Hours Challenge, a... Read More »
More than 3,000 participants from 38 countries gathered in Tallinn, Estonia, last week for the annual Locked Shields program – the world’s largest cyber defense exercise.
Under their hosts, the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence (CCDCOE), NATO allies and partners, and others... Read More »
Reps. Norma Torres (D-CA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently introduced a bill that focuses on addressing 9-1-1 call-taker and dispatcher health and wellness concerns.
The Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma (PROTECT) 911 Act... Read More »
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a resolution commending the U.S. Coast Guard for border response and ability to adapt and respond to increased maritime threats.
Officials said 17 lawmakers served as resolution co-sponsors, detailing Coast Guard efforts to safeguard the American people... Read More »
The Fire Grants and Safety Act garnered enough votes to advance through the Senate last week, passing the question of extending federal support for local fire departments to the House, with the future of two grant programs and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) on the line.
Sponsored... Read More »
When it debuted last week, the latest Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) marked the four-year assessment of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strategies as well as more than 20 years since the Department was formed.
Times have changed significantly since then, and even since... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) solicited colleges and universities nationwide this week with a $45 million funding opportunity, seeking proposals to guide a new Center of Excellence (COE) for Arctic operations.
Funds will be offered through a... Read More »
U.S. Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and Mark Green, M.D. (R-TN) recently introduced legislation that would provide substantial Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) funding for the next five years.
Specifically, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative... Read More »
Air Force personnel have selected the bases to receive two of its newest fighter aircraft.
Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., is the preferred designated location to host the next F-35A Lightning II squadron.
Additionally, per the Air Force, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New... Read More »
In a letter dispatched to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week, 52 House members responded to a recent proposal to increase fees and processing time for H-2A and H-2B visa proposals, blasting the idea as detrimental to businesses.
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking... Read More »
A hearing convened by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this week put Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas under the spotlight, seeking answers to what his Department needs to secure and operate borders and counter threats... Read More »
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is espousing the benefits of its 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 22.
“Thanks to our local and state partners, we collected in the past event in October more than 33,500 pounds," DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge... Read More »
This week, a tripartite agreement was reached between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and customs administrations in Guatemala and Colombia through a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) meant to enhance trade and economic security.
The groundwork for this was laid last year when the... Read More »
Kathryn Coulter Mitchell has been named the new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Chief of Staff, replacing Kiersten Todt, who will return to the private sector.
“I’m really excited to have Kathryn join our team at CISA,” CISA Director Jen Easterly said. “She brings... Read More »
U.S. Department of Justice officials have outlined a complaint charging two defendants for allegedly opening and operating an illegal overseas police station for the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The Justice Department alleges in the complaint unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, New... Read More »
This week, a new solicitation from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) this week sought new Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Anomaly Detection Algorithm solutions to increase inspection efficacy and reduce review times, and support analysis by CBP officers.
CBP’s goal for these... Read More »
Due to the rising threat of cyberattacks against the health and public health sector, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this week released three new resources under its HHS 405(d) Program to aid cybersecurity efforts.
Together with the Health Sector Coordinating Council... Read More »
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new initiative to help countries prepare the systems and capabilities to manage emerging threats.
The Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Initiative (PRET) will officially launch on April 24-26, 2023, during a global... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has detailed a $215.6 million agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) the agency maintains will bolster the solid rocket motors supply chain.
DoD's Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) initiated the pact to expand... Read More »
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel are touting Operation Blue Lotus, which has, in collaboration with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), disrupted synthetic drug trafficking.
Operation Four Horsemen, the U.S. Border Patrol’s... Read More »
As a means to improve performance or substantially reduce the size, weight, power, and cost of current antennas, DARPA announced last week that it is soliciting novel designs, materials, manufacturing or processing concepts under its Bringing Classified Innovation to Defense and Government Systems... Read More »
