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Project ULTRA shows off first simulation of unmanned cargo transportation project
A new unmanned aerial systems (UAS) initiative focused on practical military drone applications, Project ULTRA, debuted last week with a simulation of the unmanned movement of cargo payloads for over 100 km. It was the Department of Defense’s (DoD) first task order related to the project,... Read More »
Military and Educational Data Integration Act proposes insights for students into military enlistment data
A bipartisan group of senators this week introduced the Military and Educational Data Integration Act, which would mandate a program granting state education systems access to enlistment data to potentially let high schools more accurately track the outcome of military careers. “The military... Read More »
DHS to distribute $160M for security at faith-based institutions, nonprofit organizations
As a first round of additional funding from the Biden administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week announced that $160 million would go to faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations to better protect them from targeted attacks. This funding, pulled from the... Read More »
PHMSA sets new requirements for freight railroad hazmat disclosures
In a bid to improve rail safety and support first responders, the Biden administration’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced a final rule this week that would require railroads to proactively provide first responders with real-time details of hazmat... Read More »
U.S. congressman works to ensure nonprofits aren’t supporting terrorism
U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) has requested information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) regarding U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits and their potential involvement in terrorist activity. “We are concerned that nonprofit... Read More »
House committee chairs seek declassification of info surrounding Chinese drones’ risks to national security
In a letter to the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Energy (DOE), House Committee on Homeland Security Chair Mark Green, MD (R-TN) and Committee on Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) urged the government to declassify information on the national security risks... Read More »
Solar projects to supply DoD with clean energy at military installations in Carolinas
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) said this week it will partner with a major utility company to provide renewable energy for five military installations across North Carolina and South Carolina. The DoD has signed on with Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage (GSA) program to power U.S. Army... Read More »
Fire Grants and Safety Act heads to president’s desk
After advancement out of the Senate, the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 (S.870) is headed to President Joe Biden for signature, with the promise of a five-year reauthorization for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and grant assistance. Drawing from the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee to consider new DHS requirements for U.S.-Canadian border
In introducing the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act (H.R. 8734) last week, U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) sought to increase security and attention on the U.S.-Canadian border through several mandates at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill, which has 16... Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
U.S. Reps. Moolenaar, Krishnamoorthi seek intelligence briefing on GenScript Biotech over Chinese ties
In a letter written to both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director and director of National Intelligence (DNI), the leaders of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party pushed for a briefing on the biotechnology firm... Read More »
Bipartisan, bicameral coalition seeks accountability report of DoD’s efforts to protect service members from blast overpressure
Members from across the political aisle, and from both chambers of Congress, last week wrote to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to request a review of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) actions for its service members exposed to blast overpressure. In all, 24 lawmakers sought... Read More »
Sen. Wicker pushes for generational surge in military spending in call-back to Reagan era
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), top-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, proposed a massive increase in Pentagon spending to build up U.S. military interest and the defense industrial base for generations to come. Hailing the idea as the “21st Century Peace Through... Read More »
First-ever DHS department-wide innovation, research and development plan lays out investment goals
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently sought to articulate its critical investment plans to help it meet technological needs and maximize strategic impact by publishing a department-wide Innovation, Research and Development (IRD) Strategic Plan. It was the result of two years... Read More »
FCC proposes blocking untrustworthy entities from wireless equipment authorization program
In a push to crackdown on entities of national security concern, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed new rules to bar those deemed untrustworthy from participating in the testing and certification of electronic devices in the United States. The move kicked off with... Read More »
FEMA, NOAA, and NWS issue annual hurricane outlook ahead of 2024 Atlantic hurricane season
In preparation for the 2024 hurricane season’s kickoff next month, FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks joined National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad, and National Weather Service (NWS) Director Ken Graham issued the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season... Read More »
New bill would require U.S. Intelligence agencies to develop cyber safeguards for ports
With the introduction of the Secure Smartports Act, U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) seek to convince their fellow lawmakers of the danger to U.S. ports posed by Chinese cyberattacks and intrusion. “Every day we don’t understand the risks of relying on Chinese technology is... Read More »
Bicameral bill proposes reforms for VA healthcare, benefits, and services
A triumvirate of Senate and House leaders introduced the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371) this week in a bid to reform and improve healthcare, benefits, and services for veterans, their families, and their survivors. It was... Read More »
House lawmakers press DoD to accelerate weapon deliveries, training for Ukraine
Amid ramped up assaults by Russian forces on Ukraine, a group of U.S. Congress members recently urged the Biden administration to hasten deliveries of resources to its Eastern European ally. “The Ukrainian people continue to demonstrate a strong willingness to resist Russian efforts to take... Read More »
Bipartisan Recruit and Retain Act to bolster U.S. police force heads for president’s signature
With its passage through the House last week, the Recruit and Retain Act (S. 546) is headed for President Joe Biden, bringing with it a possible expansion of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to back law enforcement recruitment efforts. Originally introduced in the... Read More »
House advances Israel Security Assistance Support Act
The House of Representatives last week voted through the Israel Security Assistance Support Act (H.R. 8369), which would restrict the president’s ability to withhold weapons transfers to Israel. “The Biden Administration’s decision to withhold weapons is catastrophic and goes directly... Read More »
Bipartisan effort calls for details on foreign attempts to infiltrate U.S. military bases
A group of seven U.S. representatives recently wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a search for details on foreign adversaries’ attempts to spy on U.S. military bases. Led by U.S. Reps. Keith Self (R-TX) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), the members asked Austin to detail the number of... Read More »
House advances appropriations for Coast Guard operations through 2026
In approving the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 7659), the House recently authorized funding for the service’s operations and recapitalization efforts in 2025 and 2026, among other measures. “The men and women of the Coast Guard deserve the support of this Congress in their... Read More »
Commerce Department blacklists 37 Chinese entities over quantum, spying concerns
The U.S. Commerce Department recently added 37 Chinese entities to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) trade restriction list, blacklisting them for a wide range of national security concerns. The reasons ranged from support for the spy balloon that flew over the United States last year,... Read More »
BIOSECURE Act would prohibit federal contracting with biotechnology firms of foreign adversaries
With China in mind, U.S. Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) recently introduced the BIOSECURE Act (H.R.8333) – a bill to make it illegal for the federal government to contract with the biotechnology companies of foreign adversaries. Pitched as a way to safeguard... Read More »