House approves FY2024 MilCon-VA Appropriations bill
The House of Representatives has advanced the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4366), which honors the nation's commitment to veterans. “The bill before us demonstrates our commitment to reduce overall spending and still... Read More »
Commerce, Defense Departments announce semiconductor defense industrial base collaboration
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC)and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) expanding collaboration to strengthen the semiconductor defense industrial base. "This agreement is an important step forward in increasing the capacity and resiliency of... Read More »
Bills to address northern border security, port of entry staffing shortages advance to full Senate consideration
A legislative effort to create a Northern Border Coordination Center and another to support critical operations at airports, seaports and land ports of entry through onboarding of at least 600 officers a year moved out of committee this week and to the Senate floor. The Northern Border... Read More »
Senate advances legislation seeking national security investment screening
The Senate recently advanced legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) screening domestic investments in national security sectors made in countries of concern. Outbound Investment Transparency Act proponents indicated the legislation would give the United... Read More »
DHS S&T awards $1.67M to Pacific Northwest National Lab for emergency response management research
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) won $1.67 million from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) this week, to aid research into future emergency response structures. In this context, this includes items like emergency operation centers... Read More »
U.S. Transportation Department enrolls first nine ships in Tanker Security Program
In order to secure a presence in international commercial shipping and bolster military usefulness at sea, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) enrolled nine ships into its Tanker Security Program (TSP) this week. “Today we are announcing the first... Read More »
Senate approves banning China, Russia, North Korea and Iran from buying American farmland and agriculture
Seemingly joining with states’ efforts to block certain foreign entries into American agriculture, the U.S. Senate approved an amendment this week that would ban four nations in particular from buying up either American farmland or agricultural businesses. In a 91-7 vote, the Senate... Read More »
U.S., Mexico leaders reaffirm commitment combating fentanyl, arms trafficking
Mexico government officials recently hosted a U.S. delegation to reaffirm the nations' commitment to address fentanyl and arms trafficking, as well as humanely manage migration. This month Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador joined senior Mexico government personnel in hosting a U.S.... Read More »
Draft legislation incorporates pipeline safety initiatives
U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Jeff Duncan (R-SC), chair of the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee, recently unveiled the Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act of 2023, which incorporated energy pipeline... Read More »
Republican legislators urge examination of potential tobacco product exploitation
A group of lawmakers are urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to examine how criminal groups could exploit the tobacco products black market. U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Ted Budd (R-NC) have forwarded correspondence to the FDA, ahead of... Read More »
BAE Systems economic impact report shows $1.9B role in U.S. economy
From its ground vehicles to weapon systems work, the combat missions systems (CMS) side of BAE Systems brought $1.9 billion to the United States economy last year, according to its newly published 2022 Economic Impact Report. “Our vast network of sites and strong supplier base are important... Read More »
U.S. Special Operations Command touts Dry Combat Submersible potential
U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has declared Initial Operational Capability for Lockheed Martin’s Dry Combat Submersible (DCS). The milestone represents a transformational capability for USSOCOM forces in Maritime and Undersea Systems. "The Dry Combat Submersible has the potential... Read More »
New York makes available $20M to improve local public safety, emergency communications systems
A total of $20 million in grant funding was made available to eligible counties in New York last week to improve land mobile radio interoperability among public safety agencies and, more generally, improve the state’s emergency communications systems. "Communications are the backbone of... Read More »
Domestic heparin production measure adopted into NDAA
U.S. Rep. Bill Posey’s (R-FL) initiative seeking to reduce American dependence on Chinese production of heparin has been adopted into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The action was advanced by the House of Representatives. It encourages private capital to drive domestic... Read More »