Policy
Two airports set passenger TSA records
LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport both set records Thursday for the number of passengers screened at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. At LaGuardia, 59,698 people passed through the checkpoints and onto their departing gates. Newark saw 78,811... Read More »
Solicitation begins for implementation feedback on National Biodefense Strategy
As the U.S. government seeks to build its National Biodefense Strategy, more than 200 heavy hitters from federal, state and local agencies, national stakeholder organizations, academia and the private sector informed its future implementation during the April 17 Biodefense Summit held in... Read More »
Counter-drone firm secures government contract
The Department of Defense's Defense Logistics Agency has awarded a contract to Citadel Defense Company to counter drones increasingly threatening to U.S. forces around the world. The over $1 million contract is supportive of USSOCOM requirements and represents the company's sixth government... Read More »
Coalition launched to create AI aerospace systems
Sandia National Laboratories recently launched Autonomy New Mexico, an academic research coalition tasked with creating artificially intelligent aerospace systems. The coalition held its first meeting last week at the University of New Mexico to propose new ideas and discuss shared... Read More »
Canadian man given life sentence for attack on Bishop Airport police officer
A Canadian man was sentenced to life in prison last week a June 21, 2017, attack on a Bishop Airport police officer from Flint, Michigan. Amor Ftouhi of Quebec, Canada was charged with committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and with two other offenses linked to his... Read More »
Air Force seeking greater technology breakthroughs
Air Force officials maintain the recently unveiled Science and Technology Strategy places concentration on maximizing and expanding technological advantages in the era of the peer-to-peer threat. “This strategy isn’t just a list of technologies,” Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson... Read More »
Sen. Hoeven details North Dakota Guardsmen, Reservists initiatives
Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) recently met with North Dakota National Guard and North Dakota State University (NDSU) Air Force and Army ROTC personnel to outline missions and benefits strengthening efforts. Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, provided specifics on securing... Read More »
Two reports address mental health, safety of law enforcement officers
The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) published two reports this week focused on federal, state, local and tribal police officers’ mental health and safety. The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act: Report to Congress includes 22... Read More »
Sen. Collins meets with Portsmouth Naval Shipyard leaders over funding
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins met with leaders from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) Metal Trades Council (MTC) to discuss the Trump Administration’s proposal to divert funds, appropriated by Congress, from military construction projects. The PNSY was among the military installations that were... Read More »
Task force will work to enhance safety of religious communities
Former Department of Homeland Security Secretaries Michael Chertoff and Jeh Johnson have been named co-chairmen of the new Community Safety and Security Task Force designed to enhance the safety and resilience of religious communities. The task force will make recommendations on how to... Read More »
OPCW officials visit United States
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) officials recently visited the United States, touring Colorado's Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP). The group included the OPCW Director-General H.E. Fernando Arias, Chairperson of the Executive Council H.E.... Read More »
Legislation would require FBI to inform Congress when it investigates a candidate
Legislation introduced in the House this week would close a loophole in current law and require the FBI director to notify the House and Senate Intelligence Committee when a counterintelligence investigation is opened about a candidate for federal office. The requirement also would apply into... Read More »
San Antonio secures terrorism preparedness grant
The City of San Antonio has secured a $3.25 million grant through the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address terrorism preparedness efforts. The $1.75 million funding increase from FEMA’s Urban Area Security Initiative would bolster initiatives... Read More »
DHS to award $1.7B in grants for emergency preparedness
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will award eight preparedness grant programs totaling more than $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2019. The grants will provide funding to states and local governments, as well as transportation authorities, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector,... Read More »
Laredo CBP personnel prepping for holiday travel
With Holy Week (Semana Santa) soon approaching, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officials said Laredo Field Office (LFO) holiday preparation is continuing. “Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists are the nation’s frontline of defense against all... Read More »
Social media protection plan inquiry launched
Homeland Security Subcommittee lawmakers are seeking insight regarding investments Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism members are making to prevent terrorists and extremists platform exploitation. Rep. Max Rose (D-NY), chair of the Homeland Subcommittee on Intelligence and... Read More »
Maine National Guard battalion deploys
The 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion of the Maine Army National Guard, which will be taking part in Operation Atlantic Resolve, deployed Saturday. As part of the operation, U.S. forces have been rotating through Europe since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014. American forces train with... Read More »
Bill would give Congress oversight of transfer of nuclear information
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill that would ensure that Congress has the authority to review all materials related to the transfer or nuclear technologies and information. These transfers are known as Part 810 agreement whereby the U.S. government authorizes persons or companies... Read More »
Lawmakers visit hurricane-damaged military bases
House Armed Services Committee Readiness Subcommittee Chairman Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) is joining congressional colleagues in touring military bases damaged by Hurricane Florence. Garamendi will be accompanied by Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) and Maj.... Read More »
Legislation would establish cybersecurity grant program
Recently introduced bicameral legislation would create a grant program, authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to allow state, local, and tribal governments to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. The program would allow governments to develop, revise or implement cyber... Read More »
Senate Democrats ask Shanahan about deployment of troops to border
Senate Democrats are asking Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan to clarify statements made by Department of Defense (DOD) officials about the deployment of military personnel to the southwest border. In their letter to Shanahan, the senators are seeking assurances that this deployment... Read More »
TSA forms Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials have established the Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee (STSAC), which will be responsible for providing recommendations on surface transportation security matters. The committee operates in accordance with provisions of the... Read More »
GAO offers Marine Corps recommendations
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued three recommendations to the Marine Corps regarding the branch's efforts to track training funds and link them to mission readiness. The GAO analysis stemmed from a congressional report maintaining the Corps' budget estimates haven't... Read More »
DOD principal deputy assistant secretary inspects Pennsylvania National Guard training center
Veronica Daigle, principal deputy assistant secretary for Readiness for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), recently visited the Pennsylvania National Guard’s (PNG) training center at Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) as part of her tour of schools and ranges where soldiers and airmen from National... Read More »
Sacramento Regional Transit District earns TSA award
Sid Hanna, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Federal Security director in Sacramento, recently presented Henry Li, general manager and CEO of the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT), with the Gold Standard Award. The annual award honors transit agencies that have high scores... Read More »
Sens. Gardner, Warner introduce bill to encourage states to bolster cybersecurity
U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced legislation this week to encourage state, local, and tribal governments to strengthen their defenses against cybersecurity threats. The State Cyber Resiliency Act would authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to run a... Read More »
Sen. Rubio seeks foreign terrorist, criminal organization designations
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) forwarded correspondence last week to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin seeking specific Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) designations. In his letter, Rubio, chairman of the... Read More »
G7 ministers call for increased law enforcement cooperation with INTERPOL
INTERPOL took center stage in recent discussions between G7 Interior Ministers, who determined that increased cooperation and data sharing with the international police organization is critical to increased law enforcement efforts throughout the world. “INTERPOL has the experience and the... Read More »
TSA launches public awareness campaign about new ID requirements
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently launched a public awareness campaign to educate travelers on the agency’s new identification requirements. Starting Oct. 1, 2020, anyone who flies will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, or another... Read More »
Rep. Burgess reintroduces bill to reduce aid for Central American nations
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), reintroduced legislation last week that would reduce foreign aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras by $30,000 for each of its unaccompanied alien children placed in U.S. federal custody. The Unaccompanied Alien Children Assistance Control Act is designed to... Read More »FDA, CBP bolster safety, health protections
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel have reached an agreement designed to bolster public health and safety protection efforts. The collaboration would maximize inspection and detection capabilities as a means of preventing illegal and... Read More »
Senate bill would prevent war with Iran without Congressional approval
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill that would prohibit the United States from expending funds which could lead to war with Iran without express approval from Congress. The Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019 underscores that Article 1, Section 8 of the... Read More »
GAO recommends nine actions to improve TSA security, screening
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is constantly working to identify screening issues, but while covert tests have improved, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) attests that operations could be bettered, especially since one new process used by TSA is not working... Read More »
Bill seeks to reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers
Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently introduced a measure designed to enhance the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) to reflect the daily work of 9-1-1 dispatchers. The Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act, also known as the 9-1-1 SAVES Act,... Read More »