Government
Moving quickly in the wake of new determinations about the potential origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) last week introduced legislation to punish foreign countries found to conduct chemical and biological experiments that threaten public health and global security.... Read More »
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gotten a lot of attention recently, particularly in tech circles, but this week the government turned its eye to machine potential as well through a hearing on its possible risks and opportunities by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs... Read More »
U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) has introduced the Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act (H.R.1354), which he indicated would combat the influence of foreign-made devices on the nation’s high-speed internet framework.
“As we continue to expand broadband internet into rural... Read More »
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has new cybersecurity requirements for airport and aircraft operators.
“Protecting our nation’s transportation system is our highest priority, and TSA will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders across all transportation modes to... Read More »
Hoping to address vulnerabilities in health systems throughout the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new cybersecurity implementation framework this week with specific steps for public and private healthcare organizations to pursue.
“Cyber incidents... Read More »
Pushing to crack down on technology from foreign adversaries of the United States, the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act was introduced this week in the Senate.
A product of U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Mark... Read More »
Brooklyn, New York-based startup Cloud to Street has secured a $195,260 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) award to develop flood analytics technology.
Work would aid Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) efforts to enhance preparedness and... Read More »
Through the Fiscal Year 2023 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week that it will fund $20 million for projects to prevent violence and terrorism at the state, local, Tribal and territorial levels.
The... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), and John Cornyn (R-TX) recently introduced a bill that seeks to enhance the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ability to combat human trafficking.
The Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma (IMPACTT)... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently introduced legislation that seeks to aid local fire departments with staffing, equipment, training, and emergency medical services improvement needs.
Specifically, the Fire Grants and... Read More »
Two bills first introduced in the 117th Congress were revived this week by House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) in a push to modernize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) satellite licensing rules.
The Satellite and... Read More »
Lawmakers are commending Senate approval of a measure they said seeks to aid first responders in coping with the stresses of responding to crisis situations.
U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) joined eight colleagues in co-sponsoring the Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress... Read More »
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine stretches onward, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) sought a new means of hitting the former through its economy, reintroducing the Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe (ESCAPE) Act (S.548) last week.
ESCAPE seeks to pull North Atlantic... Read More »
Looking to increase protections for veterans and their earned benefits, United States Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), along with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), introduced the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act (H.R.1179) last week.
“It takes real heartlessness to... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are espousing the benefits of initiating Low Energy Portal (LEP) scanning systems at the El Paso, Texas, Bridge of the Americas international crossing.
“The LEP system will scan arriving traffic, and the imagery generated will be used by CBP to... Read More »
Pledging to coordinate all tools at its disposal to protect national security, public safety, and the economy, the Biden administration revealed a new National Cybersecurity Strategy this week and proposed a rethink on how the United States tackles the digital sphere and its security.
The... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) recently introduced legislation to bolster tribal law enforcement and increase Indian Country public safety.
Specifically, the Bridging Agency Data Gaps & Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act would... Read More »
The Space Development Agency has awarded Raytheon Technologies a contract valued at over $250 million to design, develop and deliver missile warning and tracking technology.
"Developing a resilient and affordable proliferated satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit will improve our ability to... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have forwarded correspondence to President Joe Biden, requesting that he take action to prevent future violations of U.S. airspace.
The letter stems from the circumstances surrounding a Chinese spy balloon initially publicly reported in... Read More »
With a reauthorization due date of Sept. 30, 2023, for the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), two House Energy and Commerce Committee members sought this week to get ahead of the issue with a request for information from public and private interests.
“Throughout COVID-19, our... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently reintroduced legislation seeking to aid in addressing law enforcement workforce challenges while bolstering recruitment initiatives.
The Recruit and Retain Act would increase officer... Read More »
While much attention is paid to the surge of crossings and smuggling at the United States-Mexico border, a coalition of 28 Republicans formed the Northern Border Security Caucus this week to advocate for greater safety at the U.S.-Canada border as well.
While the U.S.-Canada border is the... Read More »
The Defense Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) Office is touting President Joe Biden's recent signing of a waiver focusing on defense industrial base and supply chain resilience.
The action addresses some statutory requirements authorizing the Defense... Read More »
With the introduction of the Fire Grants and Safety Act in the Senate this week, a bipartisan collection of lawmakers sought to extend federal programs that support local fire departments, including two grant programs and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) at large.
Without an... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) and August Pfluger (R-TX) recently joined U.S. Reps. John Curtis (R-UT) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) to introduce legislation that would aid farmer and rancher cybersecurity efforts.
The Food and Agriculture Industry Cybersecurity Support Act would establish a food and... Read More »
In a bid to help local communities manage the costs of noncitizen arrivals in their area, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will award $350 million through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP-H).
Allocated under the... Read More »
Through eight preparedness grant programs this year, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will provide more than $2 billion in funding to state, local, Tribal, and territorial officials to prevent, protect against and respond to terrorism.
For Fiscal Year 2023, the grants... Read More »
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials, citing concerns regarding the lack of oversight of foreign acquisition of domestic agricultural land.
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined 29 bipartisan colleagues in sending the letter to... Read More »
The partnership between the U.S. Air Force and Space Force deepened this week with the creation of a Space Test Course – a new means of evaluation for Space Force personnel and space-flight equipment.
The new course will deploy at the Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California.... Read More »
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials are touting its AI (artificial intelligence) Forward initiative, detailing workshops the agency noted seek to explore new directions for trustworthy AI.
DARPA has scheduled two Summer 2023 workshops - a virtual event on June 13-16 and... Read More »
As a bipartisan effort, U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) introduced the U.S.-Taiwan Advanced Research Partnership Act last week that would allow new federal coordination and cooperation with Taiwan to research and prepare for cyber threats.
According to the 2023... Read More »
As introduced by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and five other representatives this week, the new Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act proposes closing a legislative loophole that foreign adversaries could use to influence U.S. policy.
Specifically, Miller-Meeks pointed the... Read More »
Three defense trade associations recently issued recommendations to modernize the domestic Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system elements.
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), and the Professional Services Council (PSC) detailed the... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chairs of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, recently forwarded correspondence to Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter, seeking insight regarding visa processing delays.
Moran and Klobuchar joined U.S. Sens.... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) published the results of its 2022 Biometric Technology Rally last week, revealing that participants showed high capabilities in group recognition processing and low chances of bystander impact.
The Rally’s goal... Read More »
