NDAA advances out of House despite Democrat objections to divisive amendments
The FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) narrowly advanced out of the House last week in a 217-199 vote, largely split down party lines. With three Republicans opposing and six Democrats supporting, the legislation (H.R. 8070) has been a point of contention between the political... Read More »
Latest congressional crackdown on China would bar communist agents, businesses from land purchases
Escalating a long-running and long-growing feud with China, dozens of House Republicans recently signed onto legislation that would block members of or businesses owned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from purchasing land next to federal property. While the No American Land for the Chinese... Read More »
Bill to establish Northern Border Coordination Center advances through Senate
The Northern Border Coordination Act, authored by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), advanced through the Senate this week, carrying with it the possible creation of a federal coordination center to be collocated along the border with Canada. “The Northern Border... Read More »
PREPARED for AI Act proposes guardrails for any federal use of artificial intelligence
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently introduced the PREPARED for AI Act, which calls for safeguards on any use of artificial intelligence (AI) by the federal government by the creation of certain standards focused on safe adoption and critical assessment. “Artificial... Read More »
Federal legislation proposes increased Congressional oversight of foreign transactions
U.S. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Zach Nunn (R-IA), and Bill Huizenga (R-MI) introduced legislation this week to increase congressional involvement in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). That legislation was dubbed the Foreign Investment Transparency and... Read More »
Bipartisan bill seeks new DoD plan to rein in Iranian space activities
Through the newly introduced Space Technology and Regional Security (STARS) Act, United States Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) seek new strategies and data-sharing agreements to curtail Iranian space activities. “The next step to ending Iranian aggression is by deepening the... Read More »
Bill introduced in House to enhance oversight of CFIUS
Legislation that seeks to increase Congressional oversight of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Specifically, the Foreign Investment Transparency and Accountability Act, sponsored by U.S. Reps. John... Read More »
Republican lawmakers introduce legislation banning DHS from buying Chinese batteries
This week, U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) introduced legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from procuring batteries from companies owned and operated by the People’s Republic of China. The Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act would... Read More »
Senate advances plans for Northern Border Coordination Center
Legislation by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) – Northern Border Coordination Act (S. 2291) – advanced through the chamber this week, putting their ideas for expanding coordination on northern border security into the hands of the House. If passed, the bill would... Read More »
Law enforcement seizes methamphetamine, fentanyl, and more, charges 47 in alleged drug trafficking ring
Raids in California this week culminated in charges against 47 alleged members of a Sinaloa Cartel-linked drug trafficking network and the seizure of more than 4 kilograms of fentanyl, 324 kilograms of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroine and dozens of firearms. More than 400 federal, state and... Read More »
House committee leaders introduce bill empowering federal agencies to counter drone threats
In a joint effort, a bipartisan collection of leaders from the House committees on homeland security, transportation and infrastructure, and judiciary, recently introduced the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act to maintain and expand federal anti-drone... Read More »
Othram forensic sequencing lab chosen for $1.25M Small Business Innovation Research contract
The AFWERX arm of the Air Force Research Laboratory recently awarded a $1.25 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract to Othram for advancements to forensic DNA sequencing technology. Othram is a forensic sequencing lab for law enforcement. As of this May, it began... Read More »
April National Cyber Crime Conference drew record numbers looking to refine training
More than 1,000 law enforcement officers from local, state, federal and international organizations attended the National Cyber Crime Conference this April, making use of the opportunity to expand their knowledge and tools for dealing with cyber incidents. While the event has been ongoing since... Read More »
Senate Intelligence Authorization Act advances unanimously out of committee
The Senate Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, which contains several provisions on funding, legal authorities, and congressional oversight, recently passed out of the Senate Select Committee by unanimous vote and is headed for the Senate floor. “The Intelligence... Read More »