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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 »
House Science Committee leaders question DoD for lack of concerns over science-based emissions reduction rule
Republican leaders of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee recently called on the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to explain its silence over a Biden administration-proposed emissions rule they denounced for alleged national security concerns. In January, the committee released a... Read More »
Sens. Rounds, Thune seek GAO inquiry into tribal law enforcement budget and reservation crime
South Dakota’s Republican senators recently called on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to look into tribal law enforcement funding and any correlation with surges in crime on reservations, with a specific look at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). “In the last two years, tribal... Read More »
MOVE Act introduced in bid to secure supply chains during emergencies
In a bipartisan move, U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Jim Costa (D-CA) recently introduced the Modernizing Operations for Vehicles in Emergencies (MOVE) Act to expand timeframes for federal emergency declarations and more to support emergency supply chain needs. “During times of emergency... Read More »
Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act proposes tax-free bonds for spaceports
A group of congressmen and senators recently introduced the Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act of 2024, proposing amendments to the country’s tax code to give spaceports access to tax-free bonds. Meant to keep the U.S. competitive in the latest space race, as China and Russia, in particular,... Read More »
VA health care expanding to all veterans exposed to toxins, hazards come March
In a major expansion of health care offerings, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to roll out health care access to all veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during their service as of March 5, 2024. This will include millions of veterans, including those who served in... Read More »
Calif. start-up Fuse wins Air Force SBIR contract to lower nuclear effects testing costs
Fuse, a California-based startup focused on fusion power, won an AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract recently, setting up a collaboration with the U.S. Air Force to lower costs associated with nuclear effects testing. “Economic security and national security go... Read More »
SECURE IT Act introduced in search for ways to secure U.S. election infrastructure
U.S. Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and David Valadao (R-CA) introduced the SECURE IT Act in the House this week, promoting required, simulated attacks on voting systems as part of their certification process to improve security. “We continue to hear reports of foreign governments,... Read More »
Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star heads home after carving 38-mile channel in Antarctica
After breaking a 38-mile channel through fast ice and escorting vessels to and from Antarctrica’s McMurdo Station, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star is headed back from the Antarctic Circle. The crew’s mission kept them below the circle for 51 days, as part of Operation Deep Freeze... Read More »
House leadership lauds Biden administration’s decision to invest in domestic crane manufacturing, security
In a joint statement, House chairmen and U.S. Reps. Mark Green, MD (R-NTN), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), August Pfluger (R-TX), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) praised the recent White House decision to invest in the domestic manufacturing of port cranes and maritime security. Although more often locking... Read More »
United States, U.K. take down international LockBit ransomware group
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that, together with the United Kingdom, it had successfully disrupted the LockBit ransomware group, seizing its infrastructure and developing decryption capabilities for its software. The group has reportedly targeted more than 2,000... Read More »
TSA warns against rising risk of drones while holding new drone response training
As the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this month held its first drone response training outside the country since the start of the COVID-19 epidemic, the administration warned of criminal, terrorist and more generic threats posed by unmanned aircraft. This case as the... Read More »
Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act proposes border changes, appropriations for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
With the introduction of the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act recently, a bipartisan mix of representatives are pushing for year-long authorities to secure the United States-Mexico border and provide $66.32 billion for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. This latest attempt to both solve... Read More »
GRACE Act proposes expanding VA loan program to connect more military families with homes
The VA Home Loan Guaranty Resiliency and Concurrency Enhancement (GRACE) Act (H.R. 7388) was recently introduced to the House as a way to help military families buy homes at new duty stations, easing their transition periods during relocation. Affordable housing has grown increasingly difficult... Read More »
FirstNet Authority, AT&T agree to 10-year, $8B investment into public safety broadband network
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and its network partner, AT&T, recently announced the next phase of its public safety broadband network, with 5G upgrades, coverage enhancements and service updates spurred by more than $8 billion of investments. Those investments will... Read More »
Discussion draft of ONSHORE Manufacturing Act proposes incentives for domestic battlefield medicine, device manufacturing
U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) released this week a discussion draft of a new bill known as the ONSHORE Manufacturing Act, which proposes incentives to encourage domestic manufacturing of critical battlefield medicines and devices. ONSHORE, which stands for the Our Nation’s Supply chain for... Read More »
Amended Afghan Adjustment Act would grant permanent residence pathway to Afghan refugees
Through a foreign aid supplemental package based on the Afghan Adjustment Act, a bipartisan collective of senators recently proposed creating a permanent residency path for those who supported the United States in Afghanistan and have since sought refuge after the Taliban return to... Read More »
International effort results in cybercrime charges, seizure of internet domains used to sell malware
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in collaboration with international law enforcement organizations, recently announced the seizure of internet domains used to sell malware and a pair of indictments lodged against individuals in Malta and Nigeria. Federal authorities in Boston seized four... Read More »
Armed Services Committee members urge President Biden to rethink plans for military’s communication airwaves
An upcoming plan by the Biden administration could see the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) give up communication airwaves typically reserved for military operations, but recently, three senators from the Armed Services Committee pushed back on those plans. The senators, who included U.S. Sens.... Read More »
DETECT Act seeks cybersecurity guidelines for federal usage of drones
With their recent introduction of the Drone Evaluation to Eliminate Cyber Threats Act of 2024 (DETECT Act), U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and John Thune (R-SD) seek to direct the development of cybersecurity guidelines for the federal government’s use of drones. “Drones and unmanned systems... Read More »
DHS launches artificial intelligence expert hiring push to scrutinize use of AI
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intends to hire 50 artificial intelligence experts this year as part of a unique initiative meant to create a new team focused on ensuring responsible use of AI. Dubbed a hiring sprint, the effort will yield what the DHS is calling its AI Corps.... Read More »
FBI arrests nearly 200 people in push against large-scale drug-trafficking organizations
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced charges against nearly 200 people over the last several weeks as part of a nationwide crackdown on drug-trafficking organizations. Arrests were made from seven different field offices: Los Angeles, Columbia, Anchorage, Pittsburgh, Baltimore,... Read More »
Department of Defense splits $192.5M award for seven domestic manufacturers of critical chemicals
In all, seven awards were recently announced under the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Production Act Investments (DPAI) program, bringing $192.5 million to bear for the creation of domestic, critical chemical manufacturing capabilities. Each award was given as a contract, and... Read More »
Senators press TSA for answers as agency delays planned PreCheck enrollment expansion
Despite legal obligations, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has delayed expanding its PreCheck program to underserved areas and reportedly opened itself to security breaches, earning the ire of two senators this week. United States Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Thune (R-SD)... Read More »
Public safety broadband network to expand as FirstNet transitions to full 5G network
After an initial five-year buildout, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board recently voted to invest further into the public safety broadband network, expanding and fully transitioning it to a fully 5G network. “The FirstNet Authority is making a major investment in... Read More »
Applications for $324M in FEMA firefighters assistance grants now open
In a bid to protect firefighters from fire-related hazards, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened applications for the 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program this week, dangling $324 million for safety measures. “As a former firefighter, I know the hazards and... Read More »
Bipartisan bill seeks repeal of existing law to improve federal emergency response
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Kennedy (R-LA) recently introduced the Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act to overhaul how emergency response is handled. Specifically, the bill would repeal a section of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of... Read More »
New federal bill would limit certain foreign biotechnology companies from accessing U.S. genetic data
Seeking to keep adversaries’ hands off sensitive American genetic data, a bipartisan and bicameral group of federal lawmakers recently introduced the Prohibiting Foreign Access to American Genetic Information Act of 2024 and took aim at certain biotechnology companies’ practices. “Every... Read More »
HHS releases voluntary healthcare performance goals for cybersecurity improvements
Eying ways to improve cybersecurity among healthcare operations nationwide, the U.S. Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) released new voluntary performance goals and a new gateway website this week. “We have a responsibility to help... Read More »