Lawmakers express DHS, CBP southern border concerns
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding southern border protection concerns. U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) joined nine colleagues in signing off on the letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro... Read More »
Senate advances bipartisan legislation to reauthorize training for state and local law enforcement
The Senate unanimously voted through the National Computer Forensics Institute Reauthorization Act of 2022 this week, setting up an extension of the aforementioned institute’s lifespan to continue training state and local law enforcement agencies. “NCFI helps train law enforcement across the... Read More »
Senate committee advances bill to ensure federally-funded inventions made in United States
The Invent Here, Make Here for Homeland Security Act advanced out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this week, putting to the full body consideration of legislation that would add requirements and restrictions on what can be manufactured abroad. Produced by U.S.... Read More »
DEA details fentanyl seizure operation
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials have detailed results of a May to September 2022 enforcement operation the agency said yielded nationwide fentanyl seizures. In conjunction with the One Pill Can Kill initiative, the DEA and law enforcement partners seized more than 10.2 million... Read More »
More than 50 Congressmembers question Chinese-based manufacturer acquisition of U.S. land
A group of lawmakers recently expressed concerns regarding a Chinese-based manufacturer with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) acquiring farmland near a domestic military installation. U.S. Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL) recently joined 50 colleagues in sending a letter to Defense... Read More »
USDOT to award $32.4M in grants for hazardous materials safety efforts among states, territories and Tribes
To improve local efforts to respond to hazardous materials incidents, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) announced this week that it will award $32.4 million in grants to states, territories, and Tribes. A total of 81 grants will be split between six different hazardous... Read More »
Bipartisan senators urge Biden to take executive action to create additional outbound investment screen
While promoting their National Critical Capabilities Defense Act (S. 1854 and H.R. 6323), a bipartisan group of U.S. senators wrote to President Joe Biden this week, urging him to take an immediate, interim executive action on outbound investments to foreign adversaries. This action, they... Read More »
Simplexa COVID-19 Direct becomes second COVID diagnostic test cleared by FDA
After being backed by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) under public-private partnerships, the office recently announced that Simplexa COVID-19 Direct became the second standalone COVID-19 diagnostic cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In so doing,... Read More »
Oshkosh Defense secures Army EHETS trailer contract
The Army Tank-Automotive and Armament Command (TACOM) has awarded Oshkosh Defense a five-year $263.2 million requirements contract to produce Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter System (EHETS) trailers. “One of Oshkosh’s core competencies is partnering with our customers to develop and... Read More »
Federal Public Health Emergency declared for Florida as Hurricane Ian descends
Facing down a Category 3 Hurricane Ian, fresh off its stormy crash through Cuba, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida this week, following an emergency declaration from President Joe Biden. As... Read More »
Lawmakers target online fentanyl sales
A group of lawmakers have forwarded correspondence to TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and the Department of Justice (DOJ), noting they are seeking increased efforts to address illegal online fentanyl sales. House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA),... Read More »Ukraine Human Rights Policy Act seeks new sanctions for Russian human rights violations
Seeking to dial-up support for the Ukrainian war effort and increase scrutiny of Russian actions taken during its invasion, a group of U.S. senators and congressmen last week submitted the bipartisan, bicameral Ukraine Human Rights Policy Act of 2022. Jointly rolled out by U.S. Sens. Todd... Read More »
BARDA, Johns Hopkins to collaborate on medical resource-tracking, communication application
A new application envisioned by the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) will seek to create a means of effective communication during mass casualty incidents. In collaboration, the two... Read More »
U.S. House advances police department funding measure
The U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 22 advanced bipartisan legislation that seeks to fund local police departments and help reduce crime. The Invest to Protect Act of 2022, H.R. 6448, was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and has 86 cosponsors. It would establish a new grant... Read More »