Policy
Bipartisan NATO support bill advances House
The NATO Support Act, H.R. 676, advanced the House of Representatives Tuesday, which original co-sponsor Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said reaffirms Congressional support in the multinational military alliance. “America’s alliances are a source of strength and security for our country, and among... Read More »
DARPA unveils subterranean environment training initiative
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials have unveiled an initiative designed to afford first responders and warfighters an opportunity to test their skill set in subterranean environments. DARPA officials said in April nine teams will participate in the SubT Integration... Read More »
Labs to hold an unmanned aerial systems challenge
The joint U.S.-U.K. Swarm and Search AI Challenge: 2019 Fire Hack challenges research teams to discover ways unmanned aerial systems can be used in search and rescue missions. The challenge is sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the United Kingdom Defence Science and... Read More »
House advances bill to place new sanctions on Syria
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a bill this week that would increase international pressure on Syrian President Assad and his backers. Specifically, the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (H.R. 31) would impose new sanctions on human rights abusers and encourage negotiations to end... Read More »
NNSA earmarks $50M to bolster nuclear security
The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) has awarded a pair of university consortia grants totaling $50 million as a means of bolstering nuclear security. NNSA officials said the Georgia Institute of Technology-led Consortium for Enabling Technologies &... Read More »
Legislation seeks to offer NATO support
Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) recently joined their colleagues in introducing a measure designed to emphasize Congressional support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The legislators said the NATO Support Act backs the world's longest-standing military... Read More »
Bill introduced to create office in White House to oversee technology threats
A bill introduced in the House would create a new office within the White House to serve as a central coordinator to oversee national security threats posed by technology. The office – called the Office of Critical Technologies & Security – would be tasked with interagency coordination... Read More »
TSA needs to increase speed it reports on new technology, GAO concludes
Despite a requirement for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to justify technology purchases costing more than $30 million at least 30 days before awarding a contract, the TSA did not submit its first justifications until last August, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)... Read More »
GAO makes recommendations to DOD on counterdrug program
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) made recommendations to the U.S. Department of Defense on how to best implement the National Guard’s counterdrug program. Since 1989, the DOD has received billions of dollars to fund the National Guard's participation in a counterdrug program focused... Read More »
House Energy and Health Committee leaders request briefing on African ebola outbreak
As an Ebola outbreak continues to affect the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaders from the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee are requesting a situation brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In a joint statement issued last week, committee chairman Frank... Read More »Sen. Sullivan assesses latest Missile Defense Review initiative
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) maintains the recent unveiling of the 2019 Missile Defense Review (MDR) is indicative of progress Congress has made with the Trump Administration. Sullivan, a member of the Armed Services Committee, attended the Department of Defense spearheaded program, which officials... Read More »
Harris Corporation awarded $75M order with Marine Corps
The U.S. Marine Corps recently awarded Harris Corp. a $75 million order to provide Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) narrowband satellite communication upgrades. The order, part of a five-year Navy Portable Radio Program contract awarded in 2017, will upgrade the Falcon III AN/PRC-117G manpack... Read More »
DARPA launches program to better secure data, transactions
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched a program to develop hardware and software architectures that can ensure that critical data and transactions are secure and protected as they move between systems. Whether a piece of information is private, proprietary, or... Read More »
Cybersecurity legislation unanimously advances House
The House of Representatives has unanimously advanced the Federal CIO Authorization Act of 2018, which seeks to ensure Americans’ online identities are safe from hackers. Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) said the legislation ensures the Federal CIO oversees digital infrastructure... Read More »
Bill to increase penalties for cyberstalking of children introduced in Congress
A bill to increase criminal penalties for the online cyberstalking of children was introduced in Congress this week. The bill, called the Combat Online Predators, would increase criminal penalties for stalkers by up to five years if the victim is a minor. It also calls for the Attorney General... Read More »
Lawmakers address shutdown, wildfire preparedness efforts
Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) are expressing concerns concerning the federal government shutdown’s impact on wildfire preparedness and prevention. The legislators recently joined 10 of their colleagues in forwarding correspondence to President Donald Trump and... Read More »
Raytheon to provide Marines with radar upgrade
The U.S. Marine Corps recently selected Raytheon Co. to equip its F/A-18C/D classic Hornet fleet with radar technology. Raytheon will provide its APG-79(v)4 AESA radar, a scaled version of the APG-79 AESA used by the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force. The APG-79(v)4 shares more than 90... Read More »
Qatar signs agreement with US for DOD activities at Al Udeid Air Base
Qatar’s Ministry of Defense gave its support to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) regarding DOD activities at Al Udeid Air Base (AUAB). The agreement was signed this week during the U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue in Doha, Qatar. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) will help promote... Read More »
House advances global security enhancing bills
The House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced last week four bills designed to promote American interests domestically and abroad while also enhancing national security. Officials said legislation to authorize counterterrorism operations in Africa known as the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism... Read More »
Measure targets border security, DACA protections
Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced last week a bill designed to bolster border security and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program protections. The legislators said the bill would establish a $25 billion trust fund earmarked to enhance border security and... Read More »
Introduction of SHIELD Act would prioritize military pay during federal shutdown
A joint effort from U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) has introduced an effort to protect military and law enforcement personnel from potential pay lapses as the federal shutdown stretches on. The Strengthening Homeland Security, Intelligence, and Essential Law... Read More »
Reps. Kinzinger, Kelly re-introduce anti-trafficking bill
Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) re-introduced legislation that would encourage a more victim-centered approach to combat human trafficking. The Reducing the Demand for Human Trafficking Act (H.R.467) would provide greater protections for trafficking victims as well as seek out... Read More »
Calvert reintroduces Help Ensure Legal Detainers Act
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) has reintroduced the Help Ensure Legal Detainers (HELD) Act, which seeks to prevent criminal illegal immigrants from being released back into communities. The bill would require state and localities to adhere to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers, per... Read More »
Sen. Cornyn introduces bill to expand concealed carry privileges
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced last week a bill that would allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state with concealed carry laws. The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would not allow concealed carry in... Read More »
Bill addresses assault weapons ban
Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced this week the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019, which would ban the sale, transfer, manufacture, and importation of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. The lawmakers said the... Read More »
DOD program seeks to strengthen workforce
Department of Defense (DOD) officials are endorsing the benefits of a new endeavor designed to help the agency and private sector participants gain greater insight into workforce strengthening initiatives. The Defense-Industry Talent Exchange Pilot Program would enable 13 DOD and private partner... Read More »
Bill would fund Coast Guard during government shutdown
The Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2019, introduced Wednesday, aims to fund the Coast Guard during the government shutdown. The more than 41,000 active duty Coast Guard members, 6,200 reservists, and 8,500 civilian personnel are the only members of the U.S. military not being paid during the... Read More »
Rep. Jackson Lee reintroduces homeland security bills
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) reintroduced a series of bills this week designed to improve cybersecurity, help first responders, protect federal elections, and strengthen homeland security. One is the FRIENDS Act (H.R. 42), which would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct... Read More »
Bill targets firearm background check expansion
A group of lawmakers reintroduced Tuesday a measure designed to expand federal background checks to all gun sales. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) said the Background Check... Read More »
GAO examines best place for Federal Protective Service
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently studied eight potential parent agencies for the Federal Protective Service (FPS) and discovered none of them met all the key organizational placement criteria. Currently part of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Protection... Read More »
Sen. Portman applauds army’s plan to upgrade Abrams tanks
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) applauded Tuesday the U.S. Army’s plan to spend $714 million to upgrade 174 Abrams tanks with the latest technological advancements. The upgrades will improve communications, reliability, sustainment and fuel efficiency. They will also include upgraded armor. The... Read More »
House advances third iteration of bipartisan all-hazards legislation
The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved the newest version of bipartisan legislation that would keep Americans safe against natural disasters and chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) threats. Introduced on Jan. 8, the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness and... Read More »
Air Force training initiative targets officer quality, quantity
As a means of enhancing officer quality and quantity, Air Force officials said they are initiating training revisions designed to phase out separate officer programs in lieu of merged classes. The Total Force Officer Training and Commissioned Officer Training courses will be phased out... Read More »
Rep. Lowey introduces bill to provide relief for hurricane, natural disaster victims
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) introduced Jan. 4 a bill to provide relief for Americans affected by hurricanes, typhoons, wildfires, and other natural disasters. The bill would authorize $12.1 billion in emergency spending, including $3.0 billion for infrastructure and economic and community... Read More »