Bicameral Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act introduced to target foreign lobbying loopholes
As introduced by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and five other representatives this week, the new Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act proposes closing a legislative loophole that foreign adversaries could use to influence U.S. policy. Specifically, Miller-Meeks pointed the... Read More »
Defense trade associations issue recommendations for modernization of Foreign Military Sales system
Three defense trade associations recently issued recommendations to modernize the domestic Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system elements. The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), and the Professional Services Council (PSC) detailed the... Read More »
Bipartisan senators seek insight on visa processing delays
U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chairs of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, recently forwarded correspondence to Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter, seeking insight regarding visa processing delays. Moran and Klobuchar joined U.S. Sens.... Read More »
DHS Biometric Technology Rally shows efficacy of group photo processing
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) published the results of its 2022 Biometric Technology Rally last week, revealing that participants showed high capabilities in group recognition processing and low chances of bystander impact. The Rally’s goal... Read More »
Drug Enforcement Agency, Arizona Attorney General detail success of drug cartel investigation
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is attributing a successful three-year investigation targeting the Sinaloa Drug Cartel to partnerships with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Tempe Police Department. To date, more than 150 individuals have been charged, with investigators having... Read More »
Bill seeks to ensure greater clarity on cybersecurity insurance policy
U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced last week legislation that seeks to provide more concise information for consumers and small businesses regarding cybersecurity insurance policies. The Insure Cybersecurity Act would direct the National... Read More »
Republicans introduce bicameral SHEET Act to target foreign influence at colleges
In a challenge to supposed foreign adversarial influences on college campuses, U.S. Reps. Michelle Steele (R-CA) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY), along with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), introduced a bill last week that would empower removal proceedings against designated agents and increase scrutiny of... Read More »
Bill reintroduced to bar U.S. adversaries from purchasing land near military areas
With reintroduction of the Protecting Military Installations from Foreign Espionage Act last week, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) sought once more to make it illegal for certain U.S. adversaries from purchasing any land near military bases or areas. “As our foreign enemies grow more... Read More »
Lockheed Martin secures Navy hypersonic strike integration contract
The U.S. Navy has awarded security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin a contract to integrate hypersonic strike capability onto surface ships. The scope of work involves integrating the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon system onto ZUMWALT-class guided missile destroyers (DDGs). The CPS... Read More »
Sens. Cortez Masto, Hoeven introduce legislation to strengthen Tribal law enforcement, counter growing number of missing and murdered Indigenous women
For years, Tribal members and advocates have been trying to draw attention to what they call a crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and now, U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and John Hoeven (R-ND) have introduced legislation that takes it as a focus. In the... Read More »
DHS Secretary Mayorkas details homeland security challenges
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas recently detailed evolving homeland security challenges during the 59th Munich Security Conference. While addressing senior Intelligence personnel, Mayorkas emphasized the importance of enhancing information-sharing... Read More »
CBP details 321 Data Pilot participation expansion
A recently published Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Federal Register Notice is soliciting additional Section 321 Data Pilot participants, which would aid shipment inspection efforts. The Section 321 Data Pilot would enable CBP to partner with private sector supply chains to identify and... Read More »
Bill seeks to address mass violence prevention
A group of legislators recently co-sponsored legislation that seeks to prevent mass violence acts. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) recently joined U.S. Reps.... Read More »
NIH scientists advance understanding of mpox through development of mouse model
According to new research published in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Science,” scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have developed a mouse model of the mpox virus (MPXV) as a way to demonstrate and understand aspects of its... Read More »