CDC sticks COVID-19 test requirements on air passengers from China
Even as China reopens itself to travel following years of heavy restriction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its citizens face a new roadblock from entry to the United States: a demand for negative COVID-19 tests for any flier. The restriction was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and... Read More »
President Biden signs Consolidated Appropriations Act, including many health care provisions, following House passage
President Joe Biden signed Thursday a critical omnibus into law, setting up the Congressionally approved Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2617) to fund the government and, importantly, numerous health care and consumer protection efforts. “As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee,... Read More »
Lawmakers tout Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act enactment
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) recently applauded their Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act, which aids disaster mitigation projects, being signed into law. Specifically, the legislation makes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index (NRI)... Read More »
Quantum Computer Cybersecurity Preparedness Act encourages proactive federal cybersecurity
The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act became law this week in the United States, establishing a series of new priorities and requirements for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to guide federal cybersecurity to post-quantum cryptography. Specifically, the legislation–... Read More »
Resolution targets illicit trade, money laundering
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said his resolution encouraging Congress to combat international criminal organizations, illicit trade, and the use of trade-based money laundering (TBML) has garnered Senate approval. Cassidy was joined by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)... Read More »
HHS expands Tamiflu access for flu season
With flu season in full swing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week that additional supplies of Tamiflu would be tapped to meet increased demand. Jurisdictions will manage any Tamiflu requests through the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in collaboration... Read More »
PEACE Act represents bicameral push to reform federal police standards for use of lethal force
Particularly in the last few years, across several high-profile cases, police in the United States have come under heavy scrutiny for their use of force, and recently, a bill known as the PEACE Act was introduced to reform federal standards permitting the use of lethal force. Released as a... Read More »
PFAS Act signed into law, mandating new efforts to protect firefighters from forever chemicals
With a signature from President Joe Biden, the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act became law this week, officially directing federal agencies to create new best practices, training, and educational programs to limit and shield firefighters from exposure to hazardous... Read More »
DEA details nearly 51 million fentanyl seizures in past calendar year, according to report
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials have detailed the seizure of more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and over 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder this calendar year. “In the past year, the men and women of the DEA have relentlessly worked to seize over 379... Read More »
FEMA outlines community resilience program funding opportunity
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin accepting applications for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) on Feb. 1, 2023. The RILF seeks to foster greater community resilience while reducing disaster vulnerability and suffering, noting the Bipartisan... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Peters promotes support for renewing, increasing support for local fire department
In a tour of local fire stations, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) used this week as an opportunity to promote new legislation that would renew federal grants programs supporting local fire departments in Michigan and beyond and expand their capabilities. “Firefighters put their lives on the line... Read More »
DARPA announces AI for Critical Mineral Assessment Competition winners
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials recently announced the winners of its AI for Critical Mineral Assessment Competition, noting the effort increases and better secures critical mineral supply. In conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the competition's goal... Read More »
Measure advocates law enforcement DNA analysis
U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) has introduced a bill she said seeks to deploy advanced forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis as a means of aiding law enforcement in solving cases. The Carla Walker Act of 2022 authorizes the Justice Department to issue grants to state, local, and tribal... Read More »
DHS launches new Small Business Innovation Research solicitation to address seven technology needs
For its latest Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) solicitation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is accepting applications for research proposals on any of seven current technology needs, which will be competitively selected. Small business applicants can submit ideas... Read More »