Bill would provide benefits for Ready Reserve Corps.
Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Michael Burgess (R-TX) introduced a bill that allows the Ready Reserve Corps members to be paid retirement benefits. The Ready Reserve Corps is a pool of trained personnel who may be deployed to assist in public health crises and emergency response missions. The... Read More »
Sen. Inhofe introduces “skinny” defense authorization bill
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) introduced a “skinny” or basic version of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA). This version of the annual defense authorization provides for the common defense by extending essential, noncontroversial authorities for national... Read More »
Space Development Agency announces new director
Department of Defense (DoD) officials announced Monday the selection of Derek Tournear as the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) first permanent director. “Our strategy is to unify efforts across the military services and government agencies to rapidly develop capabilities that are responsive... Read More »
Bill seeks to cut nuclear weapons budget
Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) reintroduced Tuesday legislation is designed to reduce the nation’s nuclear weapons budget by $75 billion over the next decade. The Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures (SANE) Act would enhance national security and cut what they... Read More »
Volunteers issued new Lassa fever vaccine under Phase 1 clinical trial
A new vaccine candidate -- MV-LASV -- for Lassa fever has started clinical trials, according to Themis Bioscience and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). A Phase 1 trial is currently underway, with the vaccine administered to healthy volunteers. The vaccine used comes... Read More »
Democrats decry reports of Trump bid at acting DHS head
The chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security opened Wednesday’s hearing on global terrorism criticizing President Donald Trump and his bid to name a new acting director of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on the day before Kevin McAleenan was scheduled to end his five-month... Read More »
Justice Department launching program to let task force officers wear body cameras
The U.S. Department of Justice is launching a pilot program that will allow federal task force officers to use body-worn cameras while serving arrest or search warrants. The Department of Justice oversees hundreds of federal task forces throughout the nation, which work with law enforcement to... Read More »
Senate bill would create new Department of Defense Regional Center in the Arctic
Legislation that would create a new Department of Defense Regional Center in the Arctic was introduced in the U.S. Senate this week. The center, the Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies, would be named after the longtime Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. The Defense Department has five... Read More »
Task force created to combat anti-Semitism
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee launched the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism this week. The purpose of the task force is to collaborate with advocates, state and local governments, federal agencies, law enforcement, clergy, educators, and... Read More »
Bill addresses energy research, development
Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) recently introduced a measure reauthorizing Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) funding, noting it advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies in early development stages. The ARPA-E... Read More »
DHS expands Migrant Protection Protocols sites
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now has six ports of entry Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) sites in the wake of establishing expansion at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry. Migrants attempting to enter the country via the southwest border regardless of location may be returned to Mexico... Read More »
BAE systems to develop decoy countermeasures for US Navy aircraft
Under a $36.7 million contract awarded to them by the U.S. Navy, BAE Systems intends to create a dual band Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD) system that will act as a countermeasure against threats to aircraft. These FOTDs are radio-frequency and are intended to supplement any aircraft: fighters,... Read More »
Lawmakers to formally introduce Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act
A bill that would give authority to the arresting law enforcement agency to maintain custody of an illegal immigrant in cases where a detainer has been issued will be formally introduced in Congress this week. The Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act would clarify the Department of Homeland... Read More »
Senate advances legislation directing DHS to examine threats of deepfakes
The U.S. Senate advanced a bill that would direct the Department of Homeland Security to examine the threats deepfakes pose to national security and elections. Deepfake is a technology where hackers are able to alter video to create images or real people. The videos can then use these fake... Read More »