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Republicans step up TikTok battle with demands for DHS, FBI briefing
Continuing a fight against the Chinese-owned mobile application TikTok that has stretched since the Trump administration, two House committee leaders recently wrote to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to demand updates on ongoing investigations.... Read More »
Critical Minerals Security Act seeks to safeguard mineral supply chains against Chinese industry
Pushing to counter Chinese dominance of critical minerals, a bipartisan group of senators recently introduced the Critical Minerals Security Act to shore up what they saw as information gaps, evaluate the global supply chain and pull domestic industry away from Chinese industry. The Critical... Read More »
CISA, FBI release joint cybersecurity guidance covering Chinese-manufactured drones
Concerned about cybersecurity risks posed by Chinese-manufactured unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently released guidance about those threats and advice on safeguards. The Cybersecurity Guidance:... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security considers recommendations from Tribal leaders
A new road for how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) interacts with Tribal nations may be in store, following the first in-person meeting of the Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council (THSAC) and Tribal leaders’ recommendations on policies and practices that affect their... Read More »
Bill to stop fentanyl from crossing the border introduced
On Tuesday, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Bob Casey and Mark Kelly (both D-AZ) introduced legislation to address the fentanyl crisis by stopping it at the southern border. The legislation, the Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act, would increase staffing capacity, as well as add technology to... Read More »
TSA looks back at 2023 highlights, significant improvements in transportation security
In a new report, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said its 2023 was a significant year for improved transportation security. On Friday, the TSA said the agency had made strides in its effectiveness, efficiency and enhanced passenger experience. Over 2023, TSA screened more than... Read More »
Senate CONTAINER Act would allow states to override federal law, place barriers on federal land
Ten Republican senators opened a new front last week with introduction of the Creating Obstructions Necessary to Address Illegal and Nefarious Entry Rapidly (CONTAINER) Act. In theory, that bill draws on the Constitution’s provided right for states to defend themselves. It is untested legal... Read More »
World Economic Forum warns of growing threats, disparities for cybersecurity
Cyber insecurity remains among the top 10 risks globally, according to the latest report from the World Economic Forum, amid growing inequity and increasing worries over cybercrime. Released ahead of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Switzerland, the Global Risks Report was... Read More »
New York Gov. Hochul announces new crime and public safety initiatives in 2024 State of the State address
Using her 2024 State of the State address this week as a springboard, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced new initiatives on crime and public safety, including crackdowns on retail theft and gun violence, and support for both domestic violence and hate crime prosecution. “If government... Read More »
U.S. Navy sailor sentenced to prison for transmitting military information to Chinese intelligence
A service member in the U.S. Navy was sentenced this week to 27 months in prison and fined $5,500 for taking bribes and transmitting sensitive military information to an intelligence officer from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The court named the sentenced as Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao... Read More »
Justice Department has barred more than 500 illegal firearm purchases due to enhanced background checks
Since the 2022 implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that, as of December 2023, it had stopped more than 500 unlawful firearm purchases by people under 21 years old. “In the 19 months since the passage of the Bipartisan... Read More »
Energy sector physical and cyber security projects focus of $70M federal funding opportunity
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response (CESER) last week announced up to $70 million would be made available for projects working to improve the energy sector’s security. The security improvements, addressing both physical and... Read More »
Colorado delegation urges FEMA to increase support for those assisting migrant arrivals
With more than 32,000 migrant arrivals in the city of Denver alone as of December 2023, federal Democratic lawmakers from Colorado have called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to increase support for cities and nonprofits assisting those migrants. In a letter, the lawmakers –... Read More »
Senate advances legislation to expand domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing
The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act (S.229) passed its first legislative hurdle without trouble last month, advancing through the Senate with unanimous consent and setting up the possibility of expanded federal help to improve domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing. The bill,... Read More »
Biden administration releases up to $250M worth of additional assistance for Ukraine
With support from its allies wavering and a still-determined invader to deal with, Ukraine received a much-needed boost last week from the Biden administration, which provided additional security assistance and equipment for its war effort to the tune of up to $250 million. The 54th round of... Read More »
DoD opens Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program to feedback
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) this week published a proposed rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, designed to keep defense contractors compliant with information protection requirements and the protection of sensitive data. Applicable to both contractors... Read More »
Justice Department settles case with North Carolina towing company over violations of Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
The owner and operator of Goines Towing & Recovery in North Carolina settled with the Justice Department this week to resolve allegations he violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) in towing and selling servicemembers’ vehicles without disclosing that fact to the court. Billy Joe... Read More »
BARDA awards $117M contract for clinical trial of three ARDS novel therapeutics
A $117 million contract for the simultaneous evaluation of three novel therapeutics to treat hospitalized adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) went to PPD Development, LP, care of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) last week. BARDA, as... Read More »
FEMA announces second, $150M funding opportunity for natural hazards-focused capitalization grants
With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in-hand, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a second funding opportunity for its Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to provide capitalization grants to disaster-vulnerable communities. Meant to help... Read More »
Sen. Peters calls out cumbersome terrorist screening practices, recommends changes for civil liberties
A new report released by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, called out cumbersome traveler screening among federal agencies and insufficient oversight of discrimination. The report was looking into the terrorist watchlist... Read More »
Report deems 2022 midterm elections free of foreign compromise by Departments of Justice, Homeland Security
A report on the 2022 United States midterm election was declassified and released jointly by the U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) this week, prominently stating that no foreign government-affiliated actor was found to have compromised the integrity of that... Read More »
TSA partners with Amtrak, Transport Canada for international exercise on cross-border system threats
In a first for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the agency joined an exercise in Canada with Amtrak and Transport Canada last week to address surface and critical infrastructure threats to cross border systems. They held an exercise scenario developed by TSA’s Surface... Read More »
Congress passes 2024 defense funding bill
Despite a rocky approval process this year, last week both the U.S. House and Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, teeing it up for signature by President Joe Biden. It was a rebuke of last minute efforts by the far right to scuttle the bill, as Democrats... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Cornyn introduce bill to keep Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office open
With a looming sunset date for the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced a bill this week to keep the agency open for another two years. At stake, according to Peters, is... Read More »
Federal lawmakers call for fleet leveling to balance active duty Air Force National Guard and Reserve fighters
A group of 49 federal lawmakers – both bipartisan and bicameral – wrote to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall this week calling for the use of fleet leveling to balance fighters across active duty squadrons and allow for production capacity to catch up to demand. This attempt to... Read More »
FEMA awards $22.4M grant to help Philadelphia hire 72 firefighters
Through its SAFER grant program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded more than $22.4 million this week to the city of Philadelphia, to reopen three city fire stations and staff them with firefighters for three years. As a result, the city will hire and provide benefits to 72... Read More »
BAE Systems, U.S. Department of Commerce research non-binding preliminary agreement for new national security project
The Biden administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce, reached a non-binding preliminary agreement with BAE Systems Electronic Systems to provide approximately $35 million in federal incentives for its new Microelectronics Center in Nashua, N.H. By the end of the project, the... Read More »
Funding for 9/11 health care included in FY24 National Defense Authorization Act
Among the items that were included in the final version of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) last week was $676 million in funding for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), providing millions in coverage support for responders to the 9/11 aftermath. The... Read More »
CISA sets physical security performance goals for faith-based organizations
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this week released a new set of physical security performance goals for faith-based organizations. Partially in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinians,... Read More »
FEMA’s 12th annual National Preparedness Report reveals challenges of rising costs, climate change-related disasters
Climate change is causing increased frequency and severity of disasters across the country, leading to rising costs that represent a collective challenge for all levels of government, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) latest National Preparedness Report. “As the... Read More »
GAO warns some federal agencies fail to meet requirements for cybersecurity incident response
Over the years, federal agencies worked to improve their abilities to detect, analyze and handle cybersecurity incidents, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), but some have failed to meet requirements surrounding the tracking of incidents. Responses to ransomware... Read More »
U.S. Senate bill proposes increased foreign gift reporting requirements among academia
A group of seven U.S. senators introduced the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act, S.3362, last week to heighten oversight of foreign gift reporting at American colleges and universities. Envisioned by lawmakers as a way... Read More »
Law enforcement organizations call for FEND Off Fentanyl Act’s inclusion in National Defense Authorization Act
In letters to Congressional leadership last week, groups including the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Association of Police Officers (NAPO), and Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) called for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)’s FEND Off Fentanyl Act (S. 1271) to be... Read More »
Traveler Privacy Protection Act would ban collection of biometric data by TSA
Under legislation recently proposed by a collection of six senators – the Traveler Privacy Protection Act – the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would be banned from using facial recognition technology and collecting facial biometric data at airports in the United States.... Read More »