Policy
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 »
Rep. Thompson requests information on TSA’s operating during shutdown
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter Monday to David Pekoske, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) administrator, inquiring about how the government shutdown is affecting agency employees. The partial government shutdown has... Read More »
Bill seeks to bolster national cybersecurity
Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) introduced last week a measure designed to enhance national cybersecurity efforts by modifying the Federal Chief Information Officer's (CIO) role. The representatives said the legislation elevates and reauthorizes the duties and responsibilities of... Read More »
Measure targets greater defense department efficiency
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) recently introduced a bill designed to enhance various Department of Defense (DOD) civilian workforce initiatives. Calvert said the Rebalance for an Effective Defense Uniform and Civilian Employees (REDUCE) Act would require the DOD to systematically execute civilian... Read More »
Bill seeks to combat tech threats especially from China
A bipartisan bill that would help combat tech-specific threats to national security posed by foreign nations and would improve interagency coordination across the U.S. government recently was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The legislation seeks to establish the Office of Critical Technologies... Read More »
Homeland Security Committee Chairman commends election security reform proposal
The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), commended the inclusion of an election security reforms in a bill introduced in the House last week. The bill, the For the People Act (H.R. 1), would establish a series of reforms in the election process.... Read More »
CFR reviews 2018 election security efforts
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) recently offered a review of 2018 cybersecurity threats and election security efforts via a blog post on the agency's website. David P. Fidler noted that for the first time in the nation's history in 2018, the country conducted elections amid efforts to... Read More »
Senators reintroduce bill that would provide gun restrictions for those who pose a threat
Four U.S. senators re-introduced the Extreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act last week. The act would give law enforcement the authority to prevent individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others the ability to purchase or possess firearms. The act was first introduced in... Read More »
Sen. Cruz floats bill to use drug lord money to build wall
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) today reintroduced a bill last week into the new Congress that would use money forfeited to the U.S. government from drug lords to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill -- called the Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order (EL CHAPO)... Read More »
Security report focuses on Special Interest Aliens
The House Homeland Security Committee released a report this week examining the mobility of Special Interest Aliens (SIAs) and efforts to curtail their entryways to mitigate terrorist threats. “Individuals who may pose a serious national security threat, known as Special Interest Aliens... Read More »
Rep. McCaul highlights accomplishments of Homeland Security Committee
The House Homeland Security Committee completed the 115th Congress with several legislative accomplishments under the chairmanship of Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX). The committee introduced 113 bills that passed through the House and had 35 of them become law during this session. Among them are the... Read More »
Air Force touts benefits of new leadership course
Air Force officials are espousing the benefits of a new course designed to aid future squadron commanders in thriving in command posts. Air University’s Leader Development Course for Squadron Command is structured as a foundational course that builds on leadership experiences and education,... Read More »