Bill enhances universal flu vaccine investment
Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) recently reintroduced a measure designed to bolster the financial support for a universal influenza vaccine protecting against multiple strains and offering longer protection. The Flu Vaccine Act targets a total investment of $1 billion,... Read More »Judge sentences man to more than 15 years in jail for providing support to ISIS
Amer Sinan Alhaggagi was recently sentenced to 188 months in jail for providing support to ISIS and identity theft charges. “Alhaggagi wanted to carry out deadly terrorist attacks in the United States in the name of ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General John Demers said. ... Read More »
DHS extends deadline for submitting first-responder technologies
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has extended the deadline for submitting first-responder technologies for assessment in the Next Generation First Responder – Birmingham Shaken Fury Operational Experimentation (OpEx). The original deadline was... Read More »
Chairman of House Homeland Security Committee prioritizes oversight of domestic terrorism
Federal lawmakers are focused on deterring domestic terrorism, which now ranks alongside — or possibly even eclipses — the prevention of global extremist threats against the nation, said U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. “What’s on our minds a lot now is... Read More »
Rep. Collins introduces Mass Violence Prevention Act
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) has introduced the Mass Violence Prevention (MVP) Act, which is designed to prevent firearm violence by improving response to threats and reducing illegal firearm street sales. “It’s cruel to advance legislation that ignores the factors contributing to gun violence... Read More »
TSA fast-tracks hiring for Boston Logan International Airport
A total of 50 full-time and part-time positions with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will see applicants fast-tracked during a one-day event at the Boston Logan International Airport in March. The move, undertaken in advance of increased travel generally seen during the summer... Read More »
House bill seeks to use billions forfeited by El Chapo for border security
A bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow assets seized from Mexican drug lords, including Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera, to be used to secure the southern border. The Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order (EL CHAPO) Act would set... Read More »
RGNext signs contract to operate missile test site
RGNext recently signed a $502-million, 10-year contract to operate the U.S. Army's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, which tests missiles on islands in the 750,000-square-mile Pacific Ocean range. The company will maintain systems such as radar, telemetry and optical sensors on... Read More »
Senators urge DOE, DHS to ban inverters made by Huawei
A bipartisan group of senators recently sent a letter to Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen urging them to ban the use of inverters made by the Chinese-owned company, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd, citing cybersecurity concerns. “Huawei has recently... Read More »
CBP intercepts $19 million cocaine shipment
Savannah, Georgia-based Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers recently thwarted a narcotics smuggling effort resulting in the seizure of cocaine valued at $19 million. Officers working at the Savannah seaport last November encountered a Cartagena,... Read More »
DHS secretary working on plan for humanitarian crisis
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen met Feb. 20 with Northern Triangle security ministers in El Salvador to discuss the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis caused by the formation of migrant caravans and irregular migration. During the meeting, the officials agreed to a plan... Read More »
DoD funds target manufacturing’s digital future
The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) has secured a $10 million Department of Defense (DoD) award to lead the digital future of manufacturing. Officials said the agreement includes an option of $20 million more over the upcoming five years and is part of a new... Read More »
CEPI awards $31 million Nipah vaccine contract to Univ. of Tokyo
A vaccine contract potentially worth as much as $31 million was recently awarded to the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), to counteract the bat-borne Nipah virus. Nipah is a highly virulent disease, with a fatality rate that, according... Read More »