Policy
Bicameral bill would forbid low-yield nuclear warheads on submarine missiles
The bicameral Hold the Low-Yield Nuclear Explosive Act, or the Hold the LYNE Act, was introduced in Congress on Sept. 18, a measure that would prohibit the research, development, production and deployment of a low-yield nuclear warhead for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The legislation,... Read More »
Air Force Secretary Wilson lends branch status update
Restoring force readiness, space operations and the future served as the prime topics during the Secretary of the Air Force’s recent update on the state of the branch. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson addressed the 2018 Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National... Read More »
White House authorizes national biodefense strategy; HHS to take governance lead
The Sept. 18 release of the 2018 National Biodefense Strategy and a newly signed National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) will bolster the nation’s defenses against man-made, accidental or intentional, and naturally occurring biological threats to Americans’ health and safety, said U.S.... Read More »
GAO examines nuclear proliferation plan costs
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is recommending the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) provide funding estimates for its mandated nuclear proliferation plan. A federal law introduced in 2015 and 2017 directed the President to submit a proliferation plan to Congress. A... Read More »
FAA warns drone operators against interfering with hurricane response efforts
With federal attention focused on rescue and aid efforts in the wake of Hurricane Florence, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns of stiff fines for any drone users operating without authorization in affected areas. The reason for this is to keep unmanned aircraft from inadvertently --... Read More »
CBP New Orleans office to participate in Hurricane Florence relief
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations and the New Orleans Air and Marine Branch recently announced they would be participating in Hurricane Florence relief efforts in the Carolinas. They will be joined by the Jacksonville office and will support the Atlanta... Read More »
Lawmakers urge exploration of deepfake threats
Reps. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) are encouraging the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to assess threats posed by deepfake technology. The three representatives forwarded correspondence last week to DNI chief Dan Coats requesting the Intelligence... Read More »
New legislation seeks advanced education in schools to improve active assailant security
The Active Assailant Training, Readiness and Response Act, introduced to the House by U.S. Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA) last week, will seek to establish a Department of Education grant for active assailant situation training. The grant would be used to improve security through university-based... Read More »
Representatives introduce bill to strengthen cybersecurity programs
Seeking to expand the workforce for cybersecurity, U.S. Reps. Dan Donovan (R-NY) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced last week the Cyber Ready Workforce Act, which would support the creation and expansion of apprenticeship programs therein. “Cybersecurity threats will continue to present... Read More »
House committee advances bill that would strengthen cyber defense
The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security recently advanced the Hack Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Act that was introduced by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH). The act would establish a bug bounty pilot program to strengthen cyber defenses at the Department of... Read More »
House approves bill to counter weapons of mass destruction
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced legislation last week to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fight terrorist threats from weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The House unanimously approved the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018 (H.R. 6198), which enables DHS... Read More »
Funding to bolster NASIC initiative
Senate lawmakers have approved a report earmarking $61 million for the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), which is located at Ohio’s Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Armed Services Committee authorized the funding as part of the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act... Read More »
Rep. McSally presses committee to fund wing replacement of A-10 Warthog fleet
As the U.S. Air Force considers removing the A-10 Warthog from active use, U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) has written a letter to the Defense Appropriations Conference Committee urging for the committee to fully fund the $144 million to re-wing them instead. While some say the A-10 aircraft is... Read More »
Senators urge State Department to adopt cybersecurity measure
A group of five bipartisan senators recently urged the State Department to adopt cybersecurity measures to protect against phishing and other cyberattacks. The letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo follows multiple reports by the Office of Inspector General that outside auditors found the... Read More »
Reps. Bishop, Conaway seek information on how Iran used sanctions relief
U.S. Reps. Mike Bishop (R-MI) and Mike Conaway (R-TX) introduced a bill to require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to submit a report to Congress on Iran’s use of assets received from sanctions relief. The bill, the Iran Payments Accountability Act of 2018 (H.R. 6774), states that... Read More »
Nearly one ton of cocaine seized in Joint Interagency Task Force raid
Cocaine valued at more than $25 million was seized last month during a Joint Interagency Task Force South interception of a low-profile vessel moving in the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. In all, nearly a ton of cocaine was pulled from the vessel after it was spotted by a... Read More »
US Air Force awards Boeing $2.9B contract for tanker production
Boeing gained a $2.9 billion contract from the United States Air Force this week, making them responsible for the fourth production lot of KC-46A tanker aircraft and all associated equipment. The KC-46A is a tanker with multiple roles, able to refuel allied and coalition military aircraft, as... Read More »
Air Force safety review highlights areas of focus
The U.S. Air Force recently conducted an operational safety review and identified several areas of focus. The findings have been released to field, flying and maintenance leaders at every level, so they can address the issues, facilitate safety review discussions and make more informed... Read More »Rep. Katko introduces bill to curb gun violence
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) introduced the Protecting our Communities and Rights Act of 2018 this week, which would establish a process to allow law enforcement to confiscate guns from individuals who are dangerous or unfit to have them. It is a federal version of “red flag” laws that have... Read More »
Massachusetts fire departments receive $4.5 million in grants
Twenty-seven Massachusetts fire departments recently were awarded nearly $4.5 million in grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Twenty-four fire departments received funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program and two received funding through the... Read More »
Sen. Wicker seeks enhanced Mississippi airport security
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) is seeking federal assurances designed to enhance security and efficiency at the state’s airports. The senator recently participated in a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing and used the forum to address concerns with Transportation... Read More »
IPNDV looks to turn nuclear disarmament procedure into practice
At a meeting of the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) Joint Working Group in Seoul earlier this summer, experts announced their intentions to take ideas for the nuclear dismantlement lifecycle into exercises and technology demonstrations. This second phase is... Read More »
GAO issues recommendations to improve FEMA risk model
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released three recommendations to improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) risk-based grant assessment model. Risk models are used to determine how to allot preparedness grants. States and urban areas considered higher... Read More »
Calif. senators urge FCC, mobile providers to guarantee service to first responders
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) are asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) along with leading mobile providers to guarantee service to first responders during emergencies. The California senators also asked the mobile service providers – specifically... Read More »
House advances cyber protection measure
House lawmakers advanced this week a measure designed to bolster protections against state-sponsored cyber activity threats aimed at the United States. The Cyber Deterrence and Response Act of 2018 protects the nation’s economy, elections, and infrastructure from cyber activity by establishing... Read More »
Senators introduce legislation to strengthen Taiwan’s global standing
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) introduced legislation this week that demands a U.S. strategy to bolster Taiwan’s diplomatic standing around the world. The Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI)... Read More »
CBP, Coast Guard seize nearly $55M worth of cocaine
In a joint operation with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP/AMO) intercepted a low profile vessel last month which led to more than 2 tons of cocaine seized. The estimated street value of the cocaine seized is approximately $54,938,000. Its... Read More »
House advances bill to improve border security
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a bill this week to improve border security and prevent potential terrorists and dangerous criminals from entering the country. The Biometric Identification Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) Authorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 6439) would fully authorize... Read More »
Report highlights growing terror threats
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, released Tuesday its latest report documenting terror threats from Islamist terrorists, noting the efforts are growing. McCaul presented the September Terror Threat Snapshot as part of an ongoing effort to highlight... Read More »
GAO issues recommendations for Coast Guard polar icebreakers
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued recommendations regarding the U.S. Coast Guard’s and Navy’s plan to invest up to $9.8 billion to build and maintain three heavy polar icebreakers. The ships would be used to conduct missions in the Arctic and Antarctic, and a... Read More »
House advances bill to codify DHS continuous diagnostics, mitigation program
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a bill this week to codify the continuous diagnostics and mitigation (CDM) program at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill, the Advancing Cybersecurity Diagnostics and Mitigation Act (H.R. 6443), would require the development of... Read More »
MS-13 gang arrests yield assault, drug charges
Law enforcement officials said the arrests of more than 20 individuals associated with the California-based Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang on assault and drug charges also yielded a cache of weapons. Officials said the recent arrests in Mendota and Los Angeles, California, were issued on the... Read More »
Small Vessel Reporting System being replaced by new CBP ROAM App
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS) is is no longer in service, leaving boaters to turn to the new Reporting Offsite Arrival-Mobile (ROAM) app. While float plans will no longer be accepted, existing SVRS numbers are still valid. They can be entered... Read More »
Ceremony commemorates change of NATO command in Afghanistan
A ceremony at mission headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, recently commemorated the change in command from General John ''Mick'' Nicholson to General Austin Scott Miller. Miller will oversee NATO’s and its operational partners’ efforts to develop effective and sustainable Afghan security... Read More »