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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 »
Rise in transit crime sparks concern from House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
In a recent letter to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Republicans from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently pressed for details on the federal response to and mitigation of safety threats to transit passengers nationwide. Their query based itself largely on... Read More »
Fire Grants and Safety Act proposes new support for firefighter, first responder services
With approval from the House this week, the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S.870) seems set for signature by President Joe Biden, and would bring with it extended authorization for firefighter and first responder support nationwide. Sponsored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), the bill incorporated... Read More »
Dozens of federal lawmakers oppose Air Force proposal to reassign National Guard units out of governors’ authority
Opposition rose this week against a proposal from the U.S. Air Force within the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), over its push to transfer National Guard units performing space missions to the U.S. Space Force without governors’ approval. A group of 81 senators and... Read More »
Border Security and Enforcement Block Grant Act proposes federal grant funding for physical border barriers
Through new legislation, U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Mike Turner (R-OH) recently placed themselves at odds with the Biden administration by seeking to enable federal grant funding for states to create physical barriers at the southern border. A hallmark of the previous Trump... Read More »
FBI Report: Older population hit by more than $3.4B in scam losses in 2023
According to the latest Elder Fraud Report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 2023 brought losses of more than $3.4 billion to those over 60 years old in the United States, thanks to an increasing variety of targeted scams. “This report underscores the fact that seniors are a... Read More »
Protect and Serve Act would elevate the harming or attempted harm of law enforcement to a federal crime
Following the deaths of four police officers while executing an arrest warrant in North Carolina last week, a group of U.S. senators introduced the Protect and Serve Act (S. 4258) to turn attempts to harm or successfully harming a law enforcement officer into a federal crime. Traditionally, such... Read More »
DoD challenge brings opportunities for nine new ideas in talent management
A Department of Defense (DoD) 2040 Task Force (D2T) challenge on talent management innovation drew in more than 200 proposals from across the Armed Services over the last year. Launched in August 2023, the challenge sought ideas from Service members and affected civilians on how to improve... Read More »
SERVICE Act of 2024 seeks DOJ pilot program, grants for local veteran response teams
As a way to support veterans, U.S. Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Dale Strong (R-AL), Lou Correa (D-CA), and Glenn Ivey (D-MD) recently introduced legislation that would offer local law enforcement grants to create veteran response teams for use during emergencies. Cosponsored by 13... Read More »
DHS publishes guidelines for securing critical infrastructure and weapons against AI threats
Mere days after the Department of Homeland Security formed a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety and Security Board, it also released new guidelines for how to protect critical infrastructure and weapons of mass destruction against the threats posed by AI. The report followed six months... Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »