Featured
Maine Border Patrol turns to public for help combating human smuggling activity
While noting four separate successes against human smuggling in the past two weeks, the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) in Maine recently called on the general public for help to stop further illicit border activities. Despite a vast border area, USBP contended that it simply lacks the manpower to... Read More »
USDOT seeks revamp of aging pipeline leak standards to decrease dangers, increase efficiency nationwide
Eying ways to increase national safety alongside emissions reduction efforts, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) last week released details of a planned overhaul to pipeline leak detection and repair standards. “We are proposing a long-overdue modernization of the way we identify... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation reintroduced to strengthen public-private partnerships with DHS to detect illicit drugs
In a bid to improve Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detection and interdiction capabilities for illicit drugs and their precursor chemicals, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) reintroduced the Enhancing DHS Drug Seizures Act last week. Although the legislation was... Read More »
New House legislation seeks mental health task force to recommend strategy for U.S. military issues
Under the Servicemembers Mental Health Improvement Act (H.R. 3011) introduced this week, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) could be required to create a mental health task force to recommend a path of address for issues facing the U.S. military. Between 2016 and 2020, the DoD reported... Read More »
Center for Health Security recommends adequately funded, authorized and targeted CDC in response to Congressional reformation queries
Following up on a request for information (RFI) from U.S. Rep. Marionette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), in which she pushed for changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security delivered a proposal for a well-funded, appropriately authorized and... Read More »
Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act reintroduced in bipartisan push to address staffing shortages
A second attempt at legislation, introduced to the Senate last week, would compel the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hire at least 600 additional officers per year until its staffing needs are filled. The Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act was proposed by U.S. Sens. Gary... Read More »
Reintroduction of MADE in America Act pushes for domestic drug manufacturing
Looking to loosen the grip of foreign nations on the pharmaceutical supply chain and favor domestic manufacturing instead, a dozen Republican representatives reintroduced the Manufacturing API, Drugs, and Excipients (MADE) in America Act last week. “The success of United States supply chain... Read More »
Deployment of self-serve credential authentication tech at BWI Airport allows near real-time ID confirmation
In a move that may speed up processing, 36 credential authentication technology (CAT) units have now been deployed to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints at Baltimore-Washington International (BWI)/Thurgood Marshall Airport. At the least, it has increased... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee press for more details following FBI crackdown on Chinese-operated police stations in U.S.
After arrests were made in New York last week over an alleged illegal overseas police station, House Committee on Homeland Security chairs wrote to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for information on potential Chinese-operated stations nationwide.... Read More »
Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act proposes stronger violent crime laws nationwide
A new bill reintroduced to the Senate this week – the Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act – seeks to address what its Republican sponsors call ambiguity and conflicting application of existing mandates, strengthening violent crime laws in a number of areas. Attacks on law enforcement,... Read More »
DHS Clean Power for Hours competition seeks clean energy sourced backups for essential services
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last week a new competition meant to tap into clean, innovative energy sources to keep essential services functioning even at times of disaster. The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) launched the Clean Power for Hours Challenge, a... Read More »
Federal support for local fire departments advances to House after Senate approval
The Fire Grants and Safety Act garnered enough votes to advance through the Senate last week, passing the question of extending federal support for local fire departments to the House, with the future of two grant programs and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) on the line. Sponsored... Read More »
More than 50 Congressional lawmakers question DHS proposal to raise H-2A, H-2B visa fees
In a letter dispatched to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week, 52 House members responded to a recent proposal to increase fees and processing time for H-2A and H-2B visa proposals, blasting the idea as detrimental to businesses. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee holds hearing over DHS resources needed to face security threats
A hearing convened by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this week put Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas under the spotlight, seeking answers to what his Department needs to secure and operate borders and counter threats... Read More »
HHS releases new online educational platform, publication and report to aid cybersecurity in health sector
Due to the rising threat of cyberattacks against the health and public health sector, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this week released three new resources under its HHS 405(d) Program to aid cybersecurity efforts. Together with the Health Sector Coordinating Council... Read More »
WHO launches PRET initiative to ready countries for next pandemics
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new initiative to help countries prepare the systems and capabilities to manage emerging threats. The Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Initiative (PRET) will officially launch on April 24-26, 2023, during a global... Read More »
U.S., international security agencies publish new guidance for secure shipping by software manufacturers
In a collaborative effort, several United States security agencies joined with related authorities in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand last week to launch guidance for technology providers meant to increase security by design and default. In... Read More »
Expanding fentanyl crackdown, Biden administration designates xylazine combos emerging threat
Xylazine, a non-opioid tranquilizer approved for veterinary use, was recently declared an emerging threat to the United States by Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), when combined with fentanyl. While never approved for human use,... Read More »
DHS S&T seeks information on drone technologies to counter small UAS swarms
Through a Request for Information (RFI) this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) signaled a search for new and emerging counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) capable of defending against other small UAS (sUAS). Small UAS are... Read More »
House members rally for military criminal investigative organizations in FY24 Defense Appropriations funding bill
Concerned about inadequacies in Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs), a group of 18 Congress members recently issued a letter calling for adequate, stable funding and resources to aid investigations as part of the fiscal year 2024 Defense Appropriations funding bill. “The... Read More »
Report: Stronger, more frequent hurricanes pose greater risks to U.S. East, Gulf Coasts
According to a new paper from researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), hurricane season is set to worsen in the years ahead in terms of strength and frequency as global warming empowers storms along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. Hurricane frequency could rise by as much... Read More »
Capitol Hill lawmakers vow to end U.S. drug shortages, dependency on Chinese pharma
The rising dependence that the United States has on many Chinese pharmaceuticals is worsening the nation’s drug shortage and creating a national security risk that several members of Congress want to disrupt. Lawmakers, in fact, have introduced legislation in Congress from both sides of the... Read More »
Joint exercise synchronizes cooperation between U.S., Mexican and Canadian water operations
Ships and teams gathered off the coast of Manzanillo, Mexico last month for a weeklong exercise under the North American Maritime Security Initiative (NAMSI), which brought together the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Mexican Navy (SEMAR) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). "This exercise provides... Read More »
Justice Department disrupts global cyber crime marketplace
The U.S. Justice Department personnel has dismantled a major criminal marketplace that allegedly enabled cybercriminals to victimize individuals, businesses and governments globally. “Our seizure of Genesis Market should serve as a warning to cybercriminals who operate or use these criminal... Read More »
House Homeland Security Republicans request information regarding cybersecurity threat by Chinese-built cranes at U.S. ports
In a letter dispatched to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this week, Republican chairs linked to the House Committee on Homeland Security pressed for answers on potential cybersecurity threats posed by Chinese-manufactured cranes used at U.S. ports. “We are... Read More »
U.S. disrupts supposed Iranian ammunition transport overseas, files forfeiture action
After seizing a flagless vessel in the Arabian Sea on Dec. 1, 2022, U.S. Central Command forces took more than 1 million rounds of ammunition, among other weapon supplies, and as of last week, the Justice Department filed a forfeiture complaint over it, accusing the Iranian Islamic Revolution Guard... Read More »
Legislators, law enforcement officials express support for SAFE School Act
Lawmakers and law enforcement personnel are expressing support for the SAFE School Act, which focuses on keeping children safe. U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) would introduce the bill to establish a $900 million grant program enabling public and private schools to... Read More »
Sens. Grassley, Durbin introduce legislation to reform H-1B and L-1 visa programs
Through the introduction of the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act last week, U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durban (D-IL) took aim at visa programs, intending to reform them and reduce fraud while introducing greater scrutiny of the recruitment process for foreign workers. Both visa... Read More »
House Artificial Intelligence for National Security Act seeks A.I. cybersecurity programs to bolster DoD security
In a nod to evolving needs, fears, and digital capabilities, United States Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Artificial Intelligence for National Security Act (H.R. 1718) this week, pushing for A.I. enabled cybersecurity programs to increase security on Department... Read More »
TSA to use $10.4B budget to increase pay, checkpoint technologies and more
During a hearing with the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week, the latter’s administrator, David Pekoske, lent insight into the agency’s plans for its $10.4 billion allotment under a 2024 budget... Read More »
Bicameral FIRE STATION Act introduced to upgrade fire, EMS facilities nationwide
With a proposed $750 million grant program, the newly introduced FIRE STATION Act, put forth by U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as well as U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), pushes for modifications, upgrades and build-up of fire and EMS facilities across the... Read More »
Bipartisan United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act proposes $50M annual fund for defense collaboration
With the introduction of the United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act of 2023 last week, a collection of U.S. representatives are seeking to set aside $50 million annually for defense collaboration on emerging technologies between the two countries. “The United States and Israel face a... Read More »
Non-profit report makes recommendations to improve U.S. public health system, grounded in current readiness
By measuring states’ current emergency readiness levels and data on weather-related disasters, vaccinations, and more, a new report from the nonprofit health policy organization Trust for America’s Health made a case for strengthening public health preparedness. Of the greatest concerns to... Read More »
Federal indictments filed for arms control violations, pursuit of military technology by Iranian operatives
A quick series of legal moves built on one another this week, kicked off by a federal court in the District of Columbia unsealing two indictments against multiple defendants for violations of arms export controls and economic schemes to procure and export military technology to Iran. The cases... Read More »