Senators introduce bill to block Defense Department from diverting funds to build border wall
A bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate that would reverse the Department of Defense’s recent transfer of $3.8 billion to be used to a border wall. Further, the Restoring Military Priorities Act of 2020 would reduce the transfer authority of the DoD to prevent President Trump from diverting... Read More »
BAE receives $113.5M Marine Corps order
The U.S. Marine Corps recently awarded BAE Systems a $113.5 million contract for 26 additional Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) under the Low-Rate Initial Production phase of the program. BAE Systems and Iveco Defence Vehicles are replacing the corps’ Assault Amphibious Vehicles with ACV, a... Read More »
CDC rushes to correct coronavirus test following performance issues
An apparent bottleneck has emerged in U.S. capabilities to test for the novel coronavirus, with the much-awaited release of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) test kit scrapped this week after performance issues emerged. While this has not hindered the CDC’s testing... Read More »
NIH launches $1M prize challenge to encourage disease diagnostics
Under the newly launched Technology Accelerator Challenge, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering $1 million for those capable of designing and developing handheld, digital technologies capable of detecting and diagnosing high impact diseases. Bolstered by support from the Bill &... Read More »
Spreading coronavirus forces U.S. administration’s targeted response plans
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, charged Wednesday night with leading the federal government’s response to the coronavirus epidemic, has named a top AIDS expert to coordinate the response and clamped down on future outgoing coronavirus messaging by government health officials and... Read More »
Department of Defense adopts artificial intelligence principles
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) recently adopted ethical principles for the use of artificial intelligence (AI), which will apply to both combat and noncombat functions. The principles were based on Defense Innovation Board recommendations. The board consulted with AI experts and... Read More »
Harvard scientists work with Chinese researchers to develop coronavirus treatment
Harvard University scientists will work with researchers from China to develop coronavirus therapies and treatments designed to prevent new infections and alleviate existing ones. The effort will be led by Harvard Medical School Dean George Q. Daley, working with colleagues from the Harvard T.H.... Read More »
Resolution to support Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations introduced in House
The co-chairs of the House Global Health Caucus introduced a resolution in support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI). GAVI is dedicated to saving the lives of children in the world’s poorest countries by improving access to new and underutilized vaccines. Since... Read More »
Democratic US Senators urge decisive action on coronavirus outbreak
Following the Trump administration’s request for $2.5 billion to address the growing novel coronavirus outbreak, Democratic U.S. Senators this week urged that appropriate resources be put in place to guarantee an effective response. “The highly contagious and rapidly spreading Coronavirus... Read More »
NIH begins clinical trial of remdesivir in search for coronavirus treatment
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has begun a clinical trial of experimental drug remdesivir in Nebraska, to see its potential abilities to treat the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. “We urgently need a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19. Although remdesivir... Read More »
Federal lawmakers urged to provide supplemental funding to local health departments
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is urging the Trump Administration and Congress to approve emergency supplemental funding for local health departments to respond to the coronavirus. “Our nation has taken strong steps to help address the spread of... Read More »
Sen. Hawley seeks answers from FDA on plans to mitigate drug shortages
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) is seeking answers from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on how it will mitigate potential drug and medical device shortages. The inquiry follows a recent report that the recent outbreak of novel coronavirus has threatened the domestic supply of some 150... Read More »
FEMA’s firefighter assistance grant program open for applications
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program remains open for applications until March 13 at 5:00 p.m. EST. U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) is a strong proponent of the program and urges constituents to take advantage of it. “Our fire... Read More »
National Governors Association opposes cuts to National Guard
The National Governors Association (NGA) became the most recent organization to oppose a nearly $1.7 billion cut from the National Guard and Reserve. The cut is part of a Trump administration proposal that would divert $3.8 billion in funding to the U.S.-Mexico wall border. The budget cuts... Read More »