Policy
GAO offers IT, cyber workforce tracking recommendations
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a series of recommendations to aid agencies in identifying critical workforce needs and categorize IT and cyber-related positions. The analysis, which resulted in 28 recommendations, stemmed from having a qualified, well-trained... Read More »
Bills combat small business cybersecurity threats
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, introduced Wednesday a pair of measures designed to address small cybersecurity threats. The SBA Cyber Awareness Act would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop a cyber... Read More »
Bill enhances Internet-connected cybersecurity
A group of lawmakers recently crafted legislation designed to enhance Internet-connected devices cybersecurity. The Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2019 is being introduced in the Senate by Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Cory Gardner(R-CO), co-chairs of the Senate... Read More »
Bill seeks 9-1-1 dispatcher reclassification
Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently introduced a bill reclassifying 9-1-1 dispatchers in the Office of Management and Budget Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) catalog to ensure classification standards place public safety first. The 911 Supporting... Read More »
IDSA criticizes White House 2020 budget efforts on public health response
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) warned this week that President Donald Trump’s 2020 budget proposal not only neglects but actively undermines investments necessary to maintain immediate and long-term responses to infectious disease threats. The organization lauded the $58... Read More »
Proposed Air Force budget includes $10B boost
The U.S. Air Force will see a $10 billion budget increase in fiscal year 2020 under the White House spending plan unveiled this week. With the proposed increase, the Air Force’s budget would rise to $165 billion in fiscal year 2020, which begins Oct. 1, 2019. It includes funding for new... Read More »
Lawmakers seek Venezuelan TPS designation
Citing ongoing violence, deteriorating security, and humanitarian crisis circumstances, a group of lawmakers recently requested that the Trump Administration designate Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Dick Durbin... Read More »
NATO launches Innovation Challenge
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) officials recently launched this year's initial Innovation Challenge, which organizers said seeks to find ways for NATO to respond to security challenges and crises. NATO officials said they are seeking solutions from entrepreneurs, designers,... Read More »
INTERPOL, UNCCT train regional investigators to combat terrorist internet exploitation
INTERPOL and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) held a three-day workshop last month for law enforcement from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, meant to train them on means of countering internet and social media use by terrorists. In all, 15 participants... Read More »
Senators ask officials to review Trump Administration’s compliance with security clearance protocols
Several U.S. senators are asking federal security officials to review the Trump Administration’s compliance with security clearance policies and procedures. This request comes following reports that President Donald Trump ignored objections from White House Counsel Donald McGahn and Chief... Read More »
North Carolina lawmakers seek funding to combat gangs, violent crime
As a means of targeting gangs and violent crime, a pair of North Carolina lawmakers are advocating additional funding for the Middle District of the state's U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) recently forwarded correspondence to Jim Crowell, director of... Read More »
CBP intercepts alleged cocaine smuggling effort
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers in Laredo, Texas, recently intercepted an alleged cocaine smuggling effort yielding a $109,000 forfeiture. The March 5 seizure at the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge stemmed from a CBP officer referring a... Read More »
Secretary of the Air Force announces resignation
Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson announced Friday her resignation, which will go into effect in May. As secretary, Wilson oversees the welfare, organizing, training and equipping of active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian employees and their families. Wilson also oversees the... Read More »
Bill to thwart violent extremism introduced in Senate
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill to support the U.S. government’s efforts to reduce violent extremism and address global fragility. The Global Fragility Act requires the Secretary of State, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the... Read More »
Bill targets Russian influence, promotes European security
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a measure designed to combat Russian influence while creating economic opportunities at home and abroad. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) said the European... Read More »
Measure expedites CBP hiring process
Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) recently introduced the Anti-Border Corruption Improvement Act, which she said is designed to quicken the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hiring process. McSally said the bill eliminates the polygraph test, which officials said is a requirement in the CBP hiring... Read More »
House committee approves bill to fight human trafficking
A bill designed to help law enforcement and financial institutions identify and report suspected human traffickers was approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week. The End Banking for Human Traffickers Act, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Bill Keating (D-MA),... Read More »
Bill seeks to repeal 1991, 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force against Iraq
Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced Wednesday a measure designed to repeal a pair of Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq and end Gulf and Iraq war authorizations. Specifically, the legislation will repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs. “There is no... Read More »
Chicago CBP sets new seizure record
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said the agency's Chicago Field Office (CFO) set a record number of seizures during fiscal year 2018. CBP authorities said in fiscal year 2018, the CFO intercepted more than 24,000 packages of narcotics while weighing more than 30,000 pounds in mail... Read More »
House hosts roundtable on Valley Fever
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), co-chairman of the Congressional Valley Fever Task Force, held a Valley Fever roundtable on Wednesday, hosting scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), doctors, patient... Read More »
Israel-US partnership seeks proposals for homeland security related technologies
The Israel – U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation is seeking proposals for advanced technologies related to homeland security. The BIRD Foundation is seeking proposals in six areas: Advanced first responder technologies; Border protection, including... Read More »
Cell site bolsters Baltimore public safety
Baltimore County personnel are espousing the benefits of a new, purpose-built cell site designed to deliver increased coverage and capacity to first responders across the state. Officials said public safety communications is receiving a critical upgrade with the cell site launch of a new,... Read More »
Oklahoma earns emergency preparedness, implementation marks
A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) readiness review site visit of the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has resulted in the agency receiving stellar reviews. The CDC assessment determined the OSDH ranks in the top 14 percent of all medical countermeasure supply... Read More »
House advances bill to expand background checks for gun purchases
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a bill last week that would expand federal background checks for gun purchases and transfers. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 was approved by a vote of 240-190 with only 8 Republicans supporting it. It now moves to the Senate for action.... Read More »
Lawmakers tout benefits of Singh’s Law
A group of lawmakers recently introduced Singh’s Law, a measure designed to prevent known gang members and those convicted of dangerous crimes from entering the country. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA)... Read More »
CBP encourages Spring Break travelers to plan ahead, enroll in programs
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ports of entry in Arizona are urging travelers to prepare for the upcoming Spring Break by enrolling in trusted traveler programs and using Ready Lanes. Non-immigrant visa, passport holders are urged to apply for tourist permits online. To use... Read More »
Legislation offers cyber enhancements
A group of legislators introduced last week a measure designed to bolster greater cyber transparency, security, and data privacy initiatives. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), John Kennedy (R-LA) and Doug Jones (D-AL) said the Cybersecurity Disclosure Act of 2019... Read More »
National Association of Sheriff’s supports Singh’s law introduced by Sen. Cotton
Several groups, including the National Sheriff’s Association, voiced their support for a bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) that would bar aliens associated with a criminal gang and convicted of a crime from entering the United States. The bill, called Singh's law, says aliens... Read More »
Lawmakers urge implementation of Fix NICS Act
A group of lawmakers recently petitioned the Justice Department to implement information from requisite agencies via the Fix NICS Act, which requires steps to assess progress in database correction. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dianne... Read More »
Bill enhances border patrol personnel compensation process
Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX), Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced last week a measure designed to streamline and amend the overtime payment process, enabling border patrol personnel greater compensation flexibility. The Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Amendment Act of 2019... Read More »
Hundreds of physicians urge Congress to raise funding for global AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria efforts
In a letter released this week, more than 400 physicians and scientists called on Congress to increase the nation’s funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The United States is the largest contributor to the fund to date, comprising a third of total funding.... Read More »
Bill would increase DHS workforce morale
A bill introduced in the U.S. House last week would aim to improve employee morale at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which ranked last among the 17 major Federal agencies for morale in 2018, according to the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. Since being in 2003, DHS has... Read More »
GAO assesses efforts to enhance Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently assessed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to enhance the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, offering input on progress and challenges. The GAO recommended the department identify high-risk chemical... Read More »
DHS, CBP launch $1.5M Opioid Detection Challenge
Several federal government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, introduced a program this week called the Opioid Detection Challenge, a $1.55 million competition to develop opioid detection technologies. The Opioid Detection Challenge calls upon innovators to submit plans... Read More »