Department of Homeland Security forms AI Safety and Security Board
As a new means to advise the Secretary of Homeland Security and stakeholders, and promote safe development of artificial intelligence (AI), the department recently formed the AI Safety and Security Board. Joined by more than 20 technology and critical infrastructure executives, civil rights... Read More »
National security upgrades, pay raises and more pushed in Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act
Members of Congress recently paraded a mix of recommended updates to benefit military service members as part of the new Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act (H.R. 8070) – and it is set to serve as the base for the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill... Read More »
Embattled TikTok in jeopardy as President Biden signs legislative ban
The ByteDance-owned TikTok faces an uphill battle in the United States after President Joe Biden signed a law this week forcing it to sell to a U.S. company or be banned outright. Biden’s signature was the final stroke needed to pass the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled... Read More »
Raytheon begins $115M expansion of Alabama missile integration facility
Promising to grow space for integrating and delivering on critical defense programs by more than 50 percent, the RTX company Raytheon recently broke ground on a $115 million expansion to its Redstone Raytheon Missile Integration Facility in Alabama. When finished, it should grow the facility by... Read More »
Reward offered for Iranian nationals charged over multi-year cyber campaign against U.S. companies
In unsealing a 13-page indictment this week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed charges against four Iranian nationals for their alleged involvement in a hacking campaign against the U.S. government and private companies. The defendants remain at large and the United States has... Read More »
FEND OFF Fentanyl Act included in national security supplemental
A bill targeting the illicit fentanyl supply chain, the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, S.1271, recently advanced through the U.S. Senate as part of the national security supplemental. If ultimately approved, the legislation from bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tim... Read More »
Pennsylvania earns $10M federal grant to improve crime statistics reporting
In order to move the state closer to federal standards and allow reporting of local crime statistics to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) recently netted a $10 million federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant. Those funds will... Read More »
DoD innovative technologies pilot funds 13 additional projects
For the next round of participants in a pilot program to Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced 13 projects will receive funding. Helmed by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and... Read More »
House advances aid for Ukraine, Israel and defense manufacturing after weeks of doubt
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a $95 billion package (H.R.815) over the weekend that will include aid for Ukraine and Israel, and billions in support for the domestic defense industrial base. The Ukraine portion of the bill passed 311-112, with one vote as simply present, but it,... Read More »
Ammunition Supply Chain Act proposes mandated reporting on materials key to U.S. ammunition manufacturing
Under a new bill – the Ammunition Supply Chain Act – proposed in the House by U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) and in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), the U.S. Army would need to prepare a thorough report on the supply chain of ammunition manufacturing. “As threats to our nation’s... Read More »
Restoring American Deterrence Act seeks nuclear overhauls to deter China and Russia
Focused on China and Russia as the combined threats of the present and future, a group of senators recently introduced the Restoring American Deterrence Act to revise United States nuclear preparedness and update deterrence strategies. The bill was based on recommendations from the Congressional... Read More »
Bipartisan House effort seeks sanctions for Chinese firms backing Russian invasion of Ukraine
This week, a collection of Republican and Democratic legislators introduced a bill to sanction any Chinese military firm supporting Russia. In the NO LIMITS ACT, U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Jared Golden (D-ME) proposed blanket sanctions for... Read More »
Eight preparedness grant recipients to split $1.8B from DHS
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced more than $1.8 billion in preparedness grants to benefit eight recipients in fiscal year 2024 in addressing capacity, flexibility and high priority investments. “As threats continue to evolve, the Department of Homeland... Read More »
DHS opens applications for 2024 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant program
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a notice of funding opportunity for its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant program recently, opening a month-long application period for interested parties to seek out $18 million. Online, in-person, and... Read More »