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Sen. Brown urges passage of legislation sanctioning wide-reaching illicit fentanyl supply chain
While the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act has made it into the National Defense bill, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) this week publicly pressed for its enactment and called on the Biden administration for more resources to counter illicit drugs. FEND Off... Read More »
U.S., U.K. security agencies release joint guidelines for secure AI development
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recently released joint guidelines for secure AI system development. These guidelines were targeted at developers of any systems that use... Read More »
Department of Defense holds workshop to better understand manufacturing needs, technology opportunities
Assembling its Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MII) and stakeholders last month, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) held a Chicago-based workshop on its efforts to modernize and how the manufacturing innovation ecosystem could support it. "OSD ManTech, through the MIIs, spearheads... Read More »
Federal legislation would reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders
In introducing the Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (SAVES) Act this week, U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Norma Torres (D-CA) sought to reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders. Otherwise, the bill would not change anything about these dispatchers’ work or the... Read More »
DHS updating language to improve access for limited English speakers
Working with interagency partners, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week upgraded its language access plan, promoting improved access to its programs and activities for those with limited English proficiency. Helming the effort was the DHS Office of Civil Rights and... Read More »
House intelligence committee report calls for reauthorization, reform of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702
Without action from Congress, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) will soon expire, and in a report released last week by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, lawmakers called for its swift reformation and reauthorization. Section 702 authorizes... Read More »
IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act advanced by Senate to boost human trafficking victim support
The U.S. Senate advanced with unanimous consent legislation this week that seeks to combat human trafficking and expand support for its victims. The IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act (S.670) is now under consideration in the U.S. House. “The federal government must increase support for... Read More »
CISA releases first Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence to guide federal AI approach
Following up on President Joe Biden’s executive order on artificial intelligence last month, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released its first roadmap detailing a federal approach to developing and implementing AI... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Lankford and Rosen lead letter to UN urging designation of Hamas as terrorist organization
In a letter to the United Nations, several United States senators this week pressed for the international body to designate the Hamas organization of Palestine as a terrorist organization following terrorist attacks on Israel in October that left hundreds dead, others kidnapped, and kicked off a... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security expands analytic, reporting capabilities with new office
In a move meant to bolster the Department of Homeland Security’s statistical reporting and analysis capabilities while improving data transparency, DHS Secretary Alejandra Mayorkas launched the Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) last week. The new office will primarily report on... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee advances measure targeting alleged Chinese infiltration of universities
Through advancement of the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act (H.R. 1516), this week the House Homeland Security Committee took aim at American funds going to universities connected to Chinese entities of concern. Authored by Homeland Security... Read More »
DOJ announces indictment in PG&E bombings
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the indictment of a San Jose engineer for his attack on energy facilities in California. According to court documents, Peter Karasev, 36, was indicted Oct. 19 for attacking two PG&E transformers in San Jose on Dec. 8, 2022 and Jan. 5,... Read More »
Senate Republicans introduce proposal to secure Southern border
On Monday, U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and James Lankford (R-OK) unveiled a proposal to secure the country’s southern border. The group said their proposal would address policies that have led to a crisis at the southern border. Drawn from H.R. 2, the proposal would... Read More »
GOP national security leaders call for US to send long-range missile systems to Ukraine
Republican national security leaders in Congress are urging President Joe Biden to send long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine. These would be in addition to the full inventory of the shorter range anti-personnel variants of the same munition, according to a Nov. 1 letter... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Daines seeks to designate Yemen’s Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization over Israel attacks
Following missile attacks on Israel by the Houthis of Yemen – also known as Ansarallah – and more intercepted by U.S. military units in the region in recent days, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced a bill last week to redesignate the group as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The... Read More »
Justice Department Civil Rights Division hosts virtual forum on combating hate
On the 25th anniversary of the murders of James Byrd Jr. and Matthew Shepard, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division held a virtual forum on the launch of the United Against Hate (UAH) initiative and efforts to fight hate crimes. “As I see in my daily threat briefings, there has... Read More »
Senate adds amendment that would ban federal funding of drones produced in certain nations
A new amendment from U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Mark Warner (D-VA) that would bar the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from providing federal funds to drones produced in certain foreign countries was added to an Appropriations Minibus package this week. This amendment (1349)... Read More »
Biden administration issues executive order for A.I. developmental guardrails
In a wide-ranging Executive Order issued this week, President Joe Biden sought to preempt threats posed by the development of artificial intelligence with new safeguards and oversight, while calling on Congress to pass data privacy legislation and enshrine such guardrails permanently. While AI... Read More »
Internal memo leak from DHS prompts document demand from House Homeland Security Republicans
After an internal memo from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warning that foreign fighters from the Israel-Hamas conflict could be encountered at the southwest border leaked to the press, House Republicans demanded documents and information from Department Secretary Alejandro... Read More »
U.S. Customs and Border Protection updates strategy to combat fentanyl, synthetic drugs
According to an updated approach released last week by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains focused on the opioid epidemic while reckoning with an ever-changing landscape. CBP planted its focus firmly around four areas: ... Read More »
U.S. Chamber of Commerce report concludes organized retail crime could double this year
In a new report that urged governmental action, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce this week found that organized retail crime this year surpassed those in 2022 by 43 percent, and could nearly double it by year’s end. “The scourge of organized retail crime has become increasingly pervasive, with... Read More »
Protect Our Bases Act seeks to provide greater oversight of foreign land purchases near sensitive sites
A collection of six senators this week introduced the Protect Our Bases Act, seeking to require member agencies annually update their lists of sensitive military, intelligence and national lab sites for the review of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This... Read More »
Nuclear Threat Initiative paper provides analysis, contemplates shape of nuclear planning
In a far-ranging paper on the past, present, and future of nuclear policy and conflict released this week, the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) called for a renewed investigation into the effects of nuclear conflict. Faced with conflicts currently ranging from Ukraine to Israel and threats of... Read More »
DHS proposes modernizing the H-1B specialty occupation worker program
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week would streamline eligibility for the H-1B specialty occupation worker program, improve efficiency and institute more benefits and integrity measures. H-1B is a nonimmigrant visa program... Read More »
BEST Facilitation Act introduced to speed up cargo screenings at ports of entry
With the bicameral introduction of the Border Enforcement, Security, and Trade (BEST) Facilitation Act (H.R. 5990) last week, supporters seek to allot for a series of new image technicians within Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to expedite screenings at U.S. ports of entry. Created by U.S.... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection integrating supply chain data following startup exchange testing
Real-time, standards-based tests for exchanging supply chain data from three U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collaborating startups have opened the door for Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to begin integrating data from them and their customers. Companies mesur.io, Neoflow and... Read More »
Justice Department makes recommendations to counteract law enforcement recruitment, retention woes
Following meetings with more than 35 law enforcement and community leaders nationwide, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) this week released recommendations to reverse challenges facing recruitment and retention at law enforcement agencies nationwide. The causes are many. In its... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Kelly, Zinke call for locking down U.S. northern border for fear of suspected terrorists
Calling on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a group of representatives led by U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT) introduced a resolution this week to recognize an outsized number of suspected terrorists recently seized at the northern border. This year, Customs and... Read More »
Bipartisan Senate effort seeks to freeze $6B in Iranian assets
In a bipartisan showing last week, more than a dozen U.S. senators called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to officially freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets following Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. While Hamas rules over the Gaza Strip, it is long had a close relationship with... Read More »
Final report of U.S. Strategic Posture Commission pushes urgent build up to deter China, Russia simultaneously
A comprehensive report from the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States found that, on examination, the long-term strategic posture of the United States is flagging amid worsening global security, and pointed to looming threats from China and Russia alike. The... Read More »
Bipartisan Operation Swords of Iron bill proposed to appropriate $2B for Israel’s Iron Dome defense system
Although the House remains paralyzed in the face of a Republican rift that has left the Speaker position empty, four representatives crossed the aisle this week to introduce the “Operation Swords of Iron” Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act to buoy Israeli defenses. The bill followed... Read More »
New York increases security measures for Jewish community in wake of Israel-Palestine War
Following the weekend’s surprise attack on Israel that kicked off a brutal war of reprisals between Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York announced new steps to provide security for the state’s Jewish community. Fearing the spread of violence to Jewish... Read More »
U.S. to help support Israel in defense against Hamas attacks
Following weekend attacks by Hamas that caught Israel off guard and launched a declaration of war, the United States reiterated its support for its traditional Middle East ally, as fears of escalation grew. While Israel now claims its border with Gaza to be secure – three days after a Hamas... Read More »
Senators propose greater oversight of U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreements
In a bill that would revise the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) and fellow Republicans last week introduced legislation to increase oversight of U.S.-China science and technology agreements (STAs). Daines joined 12 other Republicans in introducing... Read More »