Government
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) expanded its partnership with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics to accelerate the development of a COVID-19 antigen test.
The Vitros antigen test is designed for the rapid detection of the virus that causes COVID-19. It is intended for... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, in collaboration with the University of Washington, analyzed kits that could be used as a critical part of a laboratory test used to detect the COVID-19 virus in a sample from an infected person.
“We are pleased the DOE... Read More »
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officials said the department has launched its CIA Labs, its first lab mechanism designed to drive science and technology breakthroughs amid intelligence challenges.
“Some phenomenal innovations have come from CIA over the years, and with CIA Labs, we’re now... Read More »
A group of legislators recently encouraged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to invest federal funding in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) with an eye toward low-cost, effective COVID-19 testing.
Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA) recently joined 11 colleagues in forwarding correspondence... Read More »
Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee introduced a bill that reauthorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for two years.
The Keep America Secure Act would reauthorize the DHS and provide $59 billion for FY2021 and $60 billion for FY2022. It includes funding for border... Read More »
Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) have introduced a measure they said is designed to help prevent COVID-19 spread via a pilot program requiring air traveler temperature checks at TSA screenings.
The Fly Safe and Healthy Act establishes a 120-day pilot program via the TSA to... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials said the agency has posted a request for information regarding portable radio repeater products.
The initiative targets emergency responder community indoor and subterranean environments. S&T’s National... Read More »
In a letter written to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) this week, U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and John Cornyn (R-TX) pressed for details on drug trafficking crackdown efforts targeting the dark web and its users.
Pointing to... Read More »
Under a new agreement with the European Commission, Sanofi and GSK will provide up to 300 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the European Union in exchange for manufacturing scale-up support.
The vaccine in question is based on a mix of Sanofi’s recombinant protein-based technology --... Read More »
More than 90 organizations representing scientists, physicians, health providers, as well as patients and medical advocates are urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure that reviews of COVID-19 vaccine candidates meet all regulatory standards prior to authorization.
“While we are... Read More »
A group of Republican Senators introduced a bill that would create federal penalties for individuals who deliberately target local, state, or federal law enforcement officers with violence.
The Protect and Serve Act would make it a federal crime to knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, serious... Read More »
Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) announced they would introduce a House of Representatives measure designed to raise police officer salaries and hire more officers.
The David Dorn Back the Blue Act is named in honor of David Dorn, a retired St. Louis Police captain killed on... Read More »
Federal agencies have partnered with Ology Bioservices to expand the capacity for filling and finishing vials for COVID-19 vaccines and drugs in the United States.
The joint effort includes the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Department of Defense’s Joint... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security has awarded $10 million for projects that support the development of a nationwide Terrorism and Targeted Violence Prevention (TVTP) Framework.
The grants were made through the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program and went to 29 different... Read More »
The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has released the “Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Program Planning Toolkit” to help local authorities to develop an effective program for alerts, warnings, and notifications.
IPAWS is a national system that provides... Read More »
The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) TSA Systems Integration Facility (TSIF) recently hosted TSA Administrator David Pekoske, who met with the local TSA workforce and conducted a virtual town hall meeting.
The facility based in Arlington, Va., possesses a 128,000 square-foot... Read More »
Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) recently introduced a concurrent resolution calling for the creation of a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy.
The effort stems from coordinating with stakeholders and the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) - and includes recommendations from... Read More »
In a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week, 15 Democratic senators called for the agency to be fully transparent in its COVID-19 vaccine review process, over concerns President Donald Trump is pressuring it to approve a vaccine before Election Day.
Public trust must be... Read More »
Building on an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has declared a public health emergency in Oregon due to ongoing wildfires that have killed at least eight people and burned approximately 1 million acres.
The emergency declaration... Read More »
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing districts along the Northern and Southern U.S. borders introduced a bill that directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a strategy to integrate emerging technologies in the nation’s border security strategy.
The... Read More »
Leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are seeking information from the nine pharmaceutical companies developing COVID-19 vaccines about their research and development efforts and how they are ensuring that only a safe and effective product will be made publicly available.
The... Read More »
The Secret Service recently hosted a virtual Cyber Incident Response Simulation officials focused on ransomware attack and mitigation strategies.
“Recognizing the dynamic nature of this threat, President Trump has made it a priority to build strong and robust cybersecurity across the federal... Read More »
Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) has introduced a measure she said is designed to combat cross-border tunnel trafficking operations across the nation’s southern border.
The DHS Illicit Border Tunnel Defense Act has a companion measure introduced by Rep.Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) in the House in... Read More »
Global leaders gather for a virtual session of the 75th United Nations General Assembly this month, and as proceedings got underway, the World Health Organization (WHO) took the opportunity to push for three actions it deems key to the collective future.
Foremost among these concerns a weight on... Read More »
America’s top public health officials earlier Wednesday briefed U.S. Senate subcommittee members on two documents outlining the Trump administration’s strategy to distribute over the next several months safe, effective and free COVID-19 vaccines to Americans as quickly as possible once the Food... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) has introduced a bill that would create a COVID-19 Misinformation & Disinformation Task Force to counter the rising misinformation and disinformation related to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The task force will be charged with coordinating the government’s analysis... Read More »
House Republican leaders are seeking information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how it plans to manage COVID-19 response efforts in addition to the flu and other respiratory issues this season.
“We share your concerns about the unprecedented convergence of two... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials said the agency is providing chemical hazard support as the Gulf Coast prepares for another major storm.
DHS indicated the Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC) is spearheading the support effort with... Read More »
Louisville Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency officials said officers recently seized 10 boxes of Virus Shut Out devices, which officials said does not protect the bearer from the Coronavirus.
Authorities indicated the shipment of shut out devices, which claim potency against Coronavirus... Read More »
The House this week took up and passed the Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act, a bill originally introduced by U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Mark Werner (D-VA) in 2017, which would require Internet-connected devices purchased by the government to meet certain security... Read More »
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) introduced a build that would help equip the general public, as well as businesses and governments, with the tools and guidance to protect against cyberthreats.
The bill – the Cyber Essentials Act -- directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expanding its efforts to combat emerging terrorist threats and improve information sharing.
The DHS’s Public Action Plan outlines the goals set by DHS, including efforts to secure cyberspace, deter lone wolf attacks, and secure soft targets such as... Read More »
The Department of Defense (DoD) has initiated two Defense Production Act Title III funding initiatives designed to sustain essential domestic industrial base capabilities and defense-critical small businesses.
“The Department remains closely partnered with FEMA and HHS, providing almost $2.9... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials recently noted a narcotics seizure increase of more than 1,000 percent within the Buffalo Field Office during fiscal year 2020 over last year.
“The work of the officers has been incredible, and their dedication to CBP's enforcement mission is... Read More »
The development of a diagnostic tool for assessing, diagnosing, reporting, and tracking COVID-19 patients by 98point6 is now being supported by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
The tool, originally used to treat and track influenza infections, also utilizes a... Read More »
