Sen. Hoeven details progress of Space Networking Center
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) recently provided an update regarding the establishment of the Space Networking Center at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Hoeven is espousing the benefits of the Space Development Agency (SDA) awarding an operations and integration (O&I) contract totaling nearly $325... Read More »
Bills target wildfire response, recovery
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced two bills seeking to support efforts in California and nationwide to extinguish fires faster. The Fire Suppression Improvement Act would also protect communities from post-fire flooding and expand Federal Emergency Management... Read More »
Bavarian Nordic secures smallpox vaccine supply contract to address monkeypox outbreak
Amid some nervousness over a monkeypox outbreak this year, Bavarian Nordic A/S announced that it has a new supply contract for its smallpox vaccine meant to help those at risk of monkeypox in the short or medium term. The country to benefit from that contract remains unidentified at this time.... Read More »
Bill targets federal cybersecurity information sharing
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Gary Peters (D-MI) recently praised the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) for advancing the Intragovernmental Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act. The bill seeks to ensure cybersecurity... Read More »
Senate panel advances federal firefighter benefits legislation
U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are commending the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) for advancing legislation aiding the federal firefighter benefits platform. Carper and Collins, co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus,... Read More »
Sen. Peters releases ransomware report detailing rising attacks, use of cryptocurrencies for ransom payments
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, concluded an investigation this week into cryptocurrencies’ role in cybercriminal activities with a new ransomware report. In “Use of Cryptocurrency in Ransomware Attacks, Available... Read More »
DOJ details charges against Iraqi national involved in murder plot against former President
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has detailed charges against an Iraqi citizen living in Columbus, Ohio, whom the agency alleged was involved in plans to murder former President George W. Bush. Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, 52, was arrested by FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force agents and charged... Read More »
Reps. Turner, Jordan seek clarity regarding FBI Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorities
U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) forwarded correspondence Tuesday to FBI Director Christopher Wray, seeking clarity regarding the agency's use of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authorities. The legislators focused on the 3.3 million person queries in 2021 -... Read More »
Sens. Rubio, Gillibrand, and Rounds seek to fund U.S.-Israel missile defense programs
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) forwarded correspondence to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Monday, advocating for the total funding of U.S.-Israel cooperative missile defense programs. The funding allocation would apply to the... Read More »
Air Force awards KBR $44M contract for systems, software protection
Science, technology, and engineering for KBR has secured a $44 million Air Force task order to protect systems and software from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. "We are excited to be a part of this significant project to protect the Air Force's... Read More »
FBI: Active shooter incidents in United States rose more than 50 percent last year
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced last week that 61 active shooter incidents were reported last year, representing a 52.5 percent increase from 2020 reports. Those numbers also led to 103 deaths and 140 injuries, not including the shooters. This gave 2021 a dubious distinction... Read More »
Rep. Garbarino introduces legislation to help DHS retain, recruit officers to counter transnational crimes
Worried about personnel shortages at the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit (TCIU) program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), new House legislation would authorize new incentivization to officers for retention and recruitment... Read More »
House committee advances PREVENT Act
U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) recently applauded the House Committee on Homeland Security for advancing the PREVENT Act, legislation he introduced to protect drug handling Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. “As the crisis at the southern border continues to spiral out of control, so... Read More »
DHS seeking 2022 Biometric Technology Rally submissions
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is seeking 2022 Biometric Technology Rally submissions. DHS S&T indicated the agency is requesting industry personnel to submit applications to participate in the 2022 Rally slated for the Maryland Test... Read More »