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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 »
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 »
Bicameral Defense Quantum Acceleration Act proposes DoD prioritize quantum technology
In introducing their Defense Quantum Acceleration Act last week, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) seek to hasten the implementation of quantum technologies within the Department of Defense (DoD). Both lawmakers pitched the move as one specifically meant to... Read More »
BEST Technology for the Homeland Act proposes extending DHS procurement tool for technology acquisition
A bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Steve Daines (R-MT) recently proposed extending use of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) procurement tool to acquire leading-edge technology from private companies. The Better Enabling Secure and Trustworthy (BEST) Technology... Read More »
GAO: Lack of workforce and fleet data may imperil Coast Guard efforts to modernize aircraft fleet
According to new findings from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. Coast Guard’s ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet of about 200 aircraft suffer from a major flaw in its lack of analytical data. The Coast Guard relies on its aircraft to protect the U.S. coastline and... Read More »
Lockheed Martin, Intel, and Altera to support development of DoD’s microelectronics capabilities
Lockheed Martin recently announced plans to collaborate with Intel Corporation and Altera for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s (OUSD R&E) STAMP program and its airborne electronic defense system. STAMP, or Stimulating Transition for Advanced... Read More »
Bill proposed to correct Customs and Border Protection error that removed officer retirement benefits
After newly hired officers’ benefits were pulled due to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) error that claimed they would be eligible for proportional annuity, federal lawmakers have introduced bills to correct that mistake and renew those benefits. The U.S. Customs and Border... Read More »
DHS lays out new plans to crack down on illicit textiles
Framing it as a move to strengthen enforcement and support American textile jobs, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a strategy taking aim at illicit textiles and customs violations. “We are dedicated to ensuring a fair and level playing field for American... Read More »
Rep. Johnson calls on National Guard to guarantee future reenlistment bonuses
Troubled by a trend of suspended or delayed reenlistment bonuses, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) recently wrote to National Guard Bureau Chief Daniel Hokanson urging the service branch to maintain incentive payments for its members. “In October 2023, over 9,000 soldiers were identified as... Read More »
New Senate bill seeks to make federal agencies track value of their contracts
A bill recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) – the Improving Contracting Outcomes Act of 2024 – aims to shore up federal oversight of taxpayer funds produced by requiring each agency to track their returns on investment. The bill would create a pilot program dedicated to... Read More »
DHS Cyber Safety Review Board blames corporate culture for 2023 Microsoft Exchange Online incident
Following an independent review of the Microsoft Exchange Online intrusion in summer 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) announced that the attack had been preventable, and steps should be taken to do so in the future. Last summer, Microsoft... Read More »
Air Force introduces cold weather special duty pay for those stationed in North Dakota
Beginning this July, the U.S. Air Force will allot special cold weather pay for those eligible airmen and guardians stationed at bases where the temperature drops below -20 degrees Fahrenheit. As called for in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the plan acts as a sort of... Read More »
DoD’s Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Strategy calls for strengthened structures, collaboration
With the recent release of its Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Cybersecurity (CS) Strategy, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) sought to lay out a means to achieve internal and industry-facing cybersecurity through 2027. The strategy is split into four goal areas: Strengthening the DoD... Read More »
Weapons detection systems headed to New York City subway system
After a raucous month that included National Guard members on the New York City subway system, the city recently announced a new effort at safety for the transit system, which will include new technology to detect firearms and more clinicians on hand for cases of mental illness. After... Read More »
CISA seeks public input on new cybersecurity incident, ransomware reporting plans
As required by the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on new cybersecurity measures meant to bolster its real-time capabilities. “Cyber... Read More »
Senate advances legislation that emphasizes federal building security
The Senate greenlit the Federal Building Security Act (S. 3613) this week, moving to the House’s consideration a bill that would make federal agencies respond to Federal Protective Services (FPS) security recommendations within 90 days. “Every day, Americans across the country visit federal... Read More »
Senate bill seeks to compel national security risk analysis of economic integration with China
A bipartisan group of senators recently introduced the American Economic Independence Act, which would require the president to provide Congress with a comprehensive threat assessment of integrating economically with China. It would focus on numerous sectors, demanding analysis of both current... Read More »
U.S. Justice Department launches National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center to curb gun violence
The U.S. Department of Justice recently launched a new resource center – the National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) – to offer training meant to ultimately keep guns away from extreme risk individuals. Vice President Kamala Harris announced the new resource center at Marjory Stoneman... Read More »
Senate advances legislation to streamline support, improve response amid disasters
The Senate recently advanced legislation from U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Kennedy (R-LA) that seeks to improve the situation facing disaster survivors by reforming the federal support system and the efficacy of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Under the Helping... Read More »
House Energy and Commerce Committee advances ROUTERS Act to scrutinize foreign equipment
Among a flurry of 28 bills advanced 43-0 by the House Energy and Commerce Committee recently was a technology-check bill by United States Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH): the Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security (ROUTERS) Act. ROUTERS targeted routers, modems and similar... Read More »
DHS collaborates with European Union for transatlantic comparison of cyber incident reporting
Looking to better align approaches to cyber incidents on both sides of the Atlantic, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Communications, Networks, Content, and Technology (DG CONNECT) recently launched a new comparison... Read More »
Senators urge Pentagon to reform approach to defense industry mergers, acquisitions
Building on findings by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) called on the Department of Defense (DoD) to change how it handles defense industry consolidations to protect taxpayer funding and national security alike. Back in... Read More »
Bipartisan legislators seek emergency reserve of key pharmaceutical ingredients through PREPARE Act
In order to avoid some of the worst issues experienced by supply chains at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Don Bacon (R-NE) recently introduced a bill to create an emergency reserve of active pharmaceutical ingredients while incentivizing domestic... Read More »
Improvements to information sharing between U.S. Intelligence Community, private companies introduced in Congress
Several Democrat and Republican lawmakers from both chambers of Congress recently introduced the Enhancing Public-Private Sharing on Manipulative Adversary Practices in Critical Minerals Projects Act to increase the information sharing relationship between private companies and the U.S.... Read More »
House advances bill to force sale of or effectively ban TikTok in major bipartisan vote
The U.S. House recently passed H.R. 7521, a significant bipartisan bill that seeks to to prevent foreign adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), from targeting, surveilling, and manipulating the American people through applications such as TikTok. Specifically, H.R. 7521 – the... Read More »
Bill to further empower tribal law enforcement advanced through House Committee
The U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources this week advanced Rep. Dan Newhouse’s (R-WA) Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act (H.R. 4524), which seeks to empower tribal officers with the reach of federal law enforcement. “This legislation is key in improving hiring and retention among... Read More »
World’s largest crane manufacturer faces Congressional investigation over Chinese access to U.S. critical infrastructure
House Homeland Security Committee leaders sent a letter to the global crane manufacturer Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) this week following a joint investigation that found communication equipment on Chinese-made cranes used at American ports. “Over the course of our eight-month... Read More »
DHS to set up wildfire, wind sensors across Hawaii
In an effort to mitigate and manage wildfires in the Hawaiian islands, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) plan to deploy 80 wildfire sensors and 16 wind sensors throughout the state. Earlier detection and alerts are the focus of the push, which was in... Read More »
END Fentanyl Act headed for president’s signature, with policy updates promised for CBP
After passing its final hurdles in the U.S. House, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s (R-FL) Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of Life (END FENTANYL) Act is headed for review by President Joe Biden. If signed into law, the bill – S.206 –... Read More »
Prototype self-service screening system unveiled at Harry Reid International Airport
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck passengers at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas will soon become the first travelers in the country to use a prototype checkpoint system that allows for self-service screening. By mid-March, the TSA and the Department of Homeland... Read More »
Boeing awarded $439.6M contract to build communications satellite for Space Force
The U.S. Space Force recently selected Boeing for a $439.6 million contract to build its 12th Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) communications satellite The wideband satellites are designed to provide high-data rate tactical communications even in contesting environments and jamming efforts. At a... Read More »