Policy
NDAA includes two projects to upgrade Fort Drum in New York
The fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was approved out of the Senate Armed Services Committee, authorizes full funding for two projects at the Fort Drum military base in Upstate New York. The NDAA includes funding for a new railhead and a new Unmanned Aerial... Read More »
California man indicted for planning to bomb rally
A California federal grand jury indicted Wednesday Mark Steven Domingo for planning to bomb a rally in Long Beach in late April. The former U.S. Army infantryman was charged with providing material support to terrorists and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. Domingo expressed in... Read More »
Hearing examines animal pest disease prevention, response
The House Agriculture Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee recently conducted a hearing to examine animal pest disease prevention and response, determining U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Congressional coordination is needed. “The livestock industry faces pest and disease... Read More »
Bill addresses effort to combat Valley Fever
A group of lawmakers introduced this week legislation designed to address the short-term, medium-term, and long-term challenges to detecting, treating, and eventually eliminating Valley Fever. Valley Fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides and... Read More »
GAO finds already overdue GPS upgrade likely to be delayed further
In an assessment of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and a planned Defense Department upgrade to a new system known as OCX, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found efforts will most likely continue to be delayed. The upgrade has already faced around five years of delays, but... Read More »
House bill would help prevent outbreaks of measles, other contagious diseases
Legislation that would increase immunization rates across the country to prevent future outbreaks of contagious diseases was introduced in Congress this week. The Vaccine Awareness Campaign to Champion Immunization Nationally and Enhance Safety (VACCINES) Act will give the Center for Disease... Read More »
CDC develops education module for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently created an education module to help clinicians recognize the early signs of and diagnose Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). The bite of an infected tick spreads RMSF. Symptoms include headache, fever, and sometimes a rash.... Read More »
Bill seeks to aid Afghan allies
Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) recently joined a group of House colleagues in introducing the Afghan Allies Protection Act, which officials said demonstrates support for the thousands Afghan and Iraqi allies. Since 2002, the government has employed thousands of Afghan and Iraqi allies to serve alongside... Read More »
Measure seeks to address potential Iran conflict
A group of lawmakers recently supported a bill designed to prohibit expending funds which could lead to war with Iran without express approval from Congress. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) has joined Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Rand Paul (R-KY) as well as several other colleagues in advocating for the... Read More »
Test flight conducted on military rescue helicopter
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co., recently conducted a test flight of its HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter in West Palm Beach, Fla. The aircraft is based on the UH-60M Black Hawk and is customized for U.S. Air Force rescue missions. The U.S. Air Force plans to replace its HH-60G Pave Hawk... Read More »
Bill to implement behavioral threat assessment process in communities gains traction
A bill that would implement a behavioral threat assessment process across federal, state, and local governments to protect communities continues to gain traction among lawmakers. The Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety (TAPS) Act of 2019 -- sponsored by Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) – has... Read More »
Bill seeks to modernize Department of Defense workforce
Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced last week a measure designed to modernize the Department of Defense (DoD) workforce by establishing a recruitment element and military career tracks for digital engineering. The Armed Forces Digital Advantage Act stems from the... Read More »
Gun violence reduction bill reintroduced in House
The bipartisan Jake Laird Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last week during National Police Week and Mental Health Awareness Month. The bill enables local law enforcement to temporarily remove and retain firearms with probable cause from individuals who are determined to... Read More »
Operation dismantles cyber-criminal network trying to steal money from bank accounts with malware
An international law enforcement operation has dismantled a complex transnational organized cybercrime network that attempted to steal an estimated $100 million from victims in the United States and around the world. The crime syndicate used malware called GozNym to try and infect tens of... Read More »
All-hazards preparedness, response bill nabs Senate approval, heads back to House
The full U.S. Senate on Thursday approved bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize the nation’s all-hazards preparedness and response law. “I am pleased my Senate colleagues joined me in supporting this legislation that ensures America’s biodefenses are ready for the public health... Read More »
Bill targets effort bolstering cybersecurity
Rep. Michael T. McCaul (R-TX) recently expressed gratitude to the Homeland Security Committee for its consideration of the DHS Cyber Incident Response Teams Act of 2019. “I’m proud to introduce legislation that ensures DHS can foster collaboration between the private and public sectors,”... Read More »
Lawmakers applaud progression of intelligence measure
Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME), members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, recently praised the progression of a measure designed to authorizes funding and enables comprehensive, congressional oversight for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). The Committee... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee advances bill to strengthen DHS counterterrorism coordination
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced this week a bill intended to bolster counterterrorism efforts under an updated Counterterrorism Advisory Board (CTAB). The Counter Threats Advisory Board Act seeks to authorize and rename CTAB, would codify the board for... Read More »
Bill would protect US elections from foreign interference
Thirteen U.S. senators introduced legislation Wednesday that aims to protect American elections from foreign interference. “The Russian government interfered in American elections in 2016, and if we don't stop them, they and other governments are going to do it again,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)... Read More »
Reps. Stefanik, Lee introduce Cyber Ready Workforce Act
Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Susie Lee (D-NV) introduced a bill in the House this week that would direct the Department of Labor to award grants to businesses and organizations to develop apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity. Through the Cyber Ready Workforce Act (H.R. 6791), the... Read More »
Measure targets root causes of migrant crisis
A group of Democratic senators recently announced the reintroduction of legislation seeking to address the root causes of the Central American migrant crisis, outlining the coordinated regional response needed to manage violence and humanitarian concerns effectively. Senate Democratic Leader... Read More »
Bill addresses Chinese military scientists, American labs
Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently introduced a measure designed to ban those employed or sponsored by Chinese military institutions from receiving American student or research visas. The... Read More »
House advances legislation designed to bolster Department of Homeland Security
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced two bills this week that support homeland security efforts. The first bill is the Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act (H.R. 1313), sponsored by Rep. Peter King (R-NY). It seeks to standardize performance periods for the Transit Security Grant... Read More »
Rhode Island launches initial cybercrime support, recovery hotline
Rhode Island recently launched the nation’s first statewide cybercrime support and recovery hotline, enabling residents to address identity theft, financial fraud, cyberstalking, cyberbullying and other cybercrimes. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), who helped secure $282,600 in federal funding for... Read More »
GAO recommends USAID improve fund tracking, response planning
Though efforts by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have helped many countries hit by the Zika virus since its emergence in 2015, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined that its efforts could do with improvement, particularly when tracking funds and planning... Read More »
Sens. Rubio, Van Hollen encourage markup of bill to prevent foreign election meddling
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) are urging Senate committee leaders to hold a markup session on a bill that would discourage Russia and any other foreign actors from disrupting U.S. elections. The bill, the Defending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines... Read More »
Senate slated to act soon on all-hazard preparedness, response legislation
The U.S. Senate is fast tracking bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the nation’s all-hazards preparedness and response law, according to the Alliance for Biosecurity. U.S. Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Bob Casey (D-PA) on May 8 sponsored S. 1379, which has been referred to the U.S. Senate... Read More »
Legislation would protect US elections from foreign interference
Legislation introduced in the House last week aims to protect U.S. elections against foreign interference and malicious attacks. The Election Security Act, introduced by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD) and Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), includes seven provisions. The bill... Read More »
Democratic senators take issue with DoD decision to transfer $1.5B for wall
Senate Democrats blasted the U.S. Department of Defense for its transfer of $1.5 billion to build part of a wall on the southwest border. “Once again, the Department of Defense has ignored decades of precedent and cooperation with the Congress in carrying out a transfer of funds without... Read More »
FDA issues guidance extending expiration dates for stockpiled anthrax medical countermeasures
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently made final guidance available to government stakeholders on testing to extend the expiration date of stockpiled medical countermeasures (MCMs) used during public health emergency preparedness and response for anthrax exposure. Stockpiles of... Read More »
Lawmakers urge FCC to examine 5G security
A group of House Energy and Commerce Committee members are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to examine fifth-generation (5G) infrastructure and technology security. Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR), Communications and Technology Subcommittee... Read More »
Bill retains Russian nuclear forces limits
Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) introduced last week a measure designed to retain Russian nuclear forces limits. The Richard G. Lugar and Ellen O. Tauscher Act to Maintain Limits on Russian Nuclear Forces calls for an extension of New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New... Read More »
Sen. Schumer seeking additional funding to fight superbug in New York
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is seeking additional federal funds to fight a superbug called Candida Auris that is spreading throughout New York. Schumer is urging the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to designate the spreading and multidrug-resistant fungus an official emergency, which... Read More »
House committee appropriators approve $300M more in funds for Strategic National Stockpile
An amendment increasing federal funds by $300 million for the Strategic National Stockpile received U.S. House Appropriations Committee approval on Wednesday as part of an almost $190 billion fiscal year 2020 spending bill covering the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS) and... Read More »