Policy
Mid-Atlantic hurricane scenario to highlight FEMA’s 2018 National Level Exercise
Lessons learned during the 2017 hurricane season will highlight Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 2018 National Level Exercise, which will bring government agencies, the private sector, non-profits, and individuals together from April 30 to May 11. The biennial national exercise... Read More »Swanton Sector Border Patrol agents apprehend 20 individuals in one weekend
U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Swanton Sector apprehended 20 individuals in four incidents for entering the country illegally over the past holiday weekend in New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. “The men and women of the United States Border Patrol work diligently to protect the border... Read More »
Twenty-four multidisciplinary research teams to receive $169 million in DoD funding
After fielding white papers from 436 academic institutions seeking federal funding through the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced on Monday that it will issue 24 awards totaling up to $169 million over five years. The MURI... Read More »
Senators argue Pentagon has no legal authority to divert funds to border wall
In response to reports that President Donald Trump has directed Pentagon to explore diverting a portion of military funding to construct a border wall, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) asserted on Monday that the Pentagon lacks legal authority to build a border wall. In a... Read More »
CBP continues to aid missing migrants initiative
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel recently joined two other agencies as a means following up on a program designed to bring closure for Mexican families missing loved ones in southern Arizona. CBP agents paired with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from the Tucson Field... Read More »
CRED fellow to open dialogue between students, administrators about hate bias incidents
Fellows of the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism (START) Community Resilience, Engagement and Dialogue (CRED) initiative will discuss more than a year of research into responses to hate bias incidents at the University of Maryland at a “Dialogue Dinner” planned for Wednesday. As... Read More »
Atlanta workshop focuses on efforts to strengthen radiological security, response
Atlanta-area nuclear regulators, researchers, medical providers and first responders to discuss their roles in the event of a “dirty bomb” attack relying on a radiological dispersal device in a recent workshop. The workshop was hosted by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)... Read More »
Ahead of 2022 FIFA World Cup, cybersecurity experts gather in Qatar
Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy hosted global cybersecurity experts on March 25 to explore cyber threats posed to major sporting and public events as part of ongoing preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Qatar. The third Cyber Security Expert Group... Read More »
Deputy Defense Secretary outlines priorities for Evolving the Future Force initiative
Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan recently discussed the priorities of the Evolving the Future Force project while speaking at an event sponsored by the Center for a New American Security on March 29. The multiyear initiative examines steps the joint force can take to adapt to... Read More »
Screening tool aids Chicago CBP drug fight
Chicago O’Hare International Mail Facility Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are using a hand-held device to screen packages that may contain common drugs and industrial chemicals. Officials said the Gemini uses analytical techniques to screen packages using either the Raman... Read More »
Poland agrees to purchase Patriot air and missile defense system from U.S.
The government of Poland recently signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) agreement to purchase Raytheon's Patriot integrated air and missile defense system from the U.S. Army. This LOA is for Phase I of Poland's two-phase medium-range Integrated Air and Missile Defense procurement and... Read More »
Rep. McCaul highlights need to restructure DHS cybersecurity functions
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) highlighted the need to reform U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) on Wednesday. Legislation introduced by McCaul to restructure and rename the NPPD the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure (CISA) agency... Read More »
Senators call on State Department to counter anti-Semitic Russian propaganda
A group of senators called on Wednesday for the U.S. State Department to counter anti-Semitic Russian propaganda, train diplomats to recognize disinformation and collaborate with U.S. allies to advance a unified response on Wednesday. In a letter to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan,... Read More »
Alliance for Biosecurity applauds historic increase in project BioShield funding
The Alliance for Biosecurity recently commended congressional leaders for a “historic increase” to Project BioShield as well as significant increases to accounts such as the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), Pandemic Flu, and the Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority... Read More »
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mexican officials enter trade and customs agreements
During a trip by Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen to Mexico City, Mexico, the United States and Mexico entered three agreements regarding trade and customs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan and the Tax Administration Service (SAT) signed a... Read More »
Lawmakers laud missile defense program funding boost
A pair of lawmakers recently touted the benefits of an increase in the U.S. – Israeli missile defense programs federal funding bill. Senate Minority Leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said the omnibus spending bill provides $705.8 million in funding to the... Read More »
Sen. Blumenthal, Rep. Wasserman Schultz introduce legislation to require instant background checks for ammunition purchases
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) introduced Monday the Ammunition Background Check Act of 2018, which would require instant background checks for the purchase of gun ammunition. “Ammunition sales should be subject to the same legal requirements... Read More »
New technology, legislation could help CBP stop opioids at the border
New technology acquired by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, as well as draft legislation introduced by Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN), could help CBP prevent opioids from entering the United... Read More »
Sen. Menendez praises Trump Administration move to expel Russian agents
The Trump Administration’s announcement on Monday that 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled from the country, and the Russian consulate in Seattle would be closed, in response to chemical weapons attacks on British soil met applause from U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). The United Kingdom has... Read More »
Federal spending bill maintains funding for key homeland security programs
The federal spending bill signed into law by President Donald Trump on Friday maintains or increases funding for a number of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant programs that help protect against and respond to terrorist threats and natural disasters at the state and municipal levels.... Read More »
Protecting Americans includes keeping first responders safe, says ASPR’s Kadlec
United States preparedness against terrorist attacks from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents includes prep and planning for the public, as well as for the first responders who will be on the front lines during a catastrophic emergency event. Dr. Robert Kadlec, Assistant... Read More »
Nuclear forensics investigation pilot training course held in Georgia
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre recently held a pilot training course in Tbilisi, Georgia, to further develop technical capabilities to support nuclear forensics investigation. The four-day program covered crime-scene... Read More »
Sessions announces proposed rulemaking to define machine guns to include bump stocks
Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently announced a proposed rulemaking from the Department of Justice that would clarify that bump stocks fall within the definition of “machinegun” under federal law. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would amend the regulations of the Bureau of... Read More »
Nine Iranian nationals charged with taking part in four-year cyberattack campaign
Nine Iranian hackers have been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) with leading a four-year campaign of cyberattacks on universities and professors, private businesses, and the U.S. government on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to an indictment unsealed on... Read More »
House committee approves eight homeland security bills
The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee approved eight bills last week that seek to enhance the nation’s cybersecurity, surface transportation security, and air travel and cargo security. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the committee’s chairman, said America must “continue to evolve... Read More »
Omnibus spending bill delivers increased homeland security funding
The U.S. House of Representatives recently advanced an omnibus spending bill, which includes the largest increase in defense funding in 15 years. The bill, advanced with a vote of 256 to 167, includes funding to fight terrorism, secure borders, enhance first responder capabilities, improve... Read More »
Senate bill would enhance penalties for fentanyl distribution
Penalties for distributing the synthetic opioid fentanyl would be enhanced under a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on Thursday, and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) would be given new tools to intercept drug shipments from overseas. The bill would lower the amount of fentanyl or fentanyl... Read More »
Federal spending bill includes increased support for border security, firefighters
The omnibus federal spending bill that gained approval in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday contains provisions that would increase support for border security, local police departments, and firefighters. U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and John Boozman (R-AK) secured $85 million in... Read More »
Program credited with expediting Ugandan virus detection
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report is touting the benefits of a program credited with expediting Ugandan virus detection. The CDC-UVRI Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Surveillance and Laboratory Program was lauded in a CDC report published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The... Read More »
Senate approves bill cracking down on online sex trafficking
With U.S. Senate approval of a bill that would end civil and criminal protections under current law for websites that take part in online sex trafficking on Wednesday, the measure will advance to the president’s desk. The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA), S. 1693, would amend the... Read More »
Senate bill aims to curb foreign influence in U.S. colleges
More individuals working for organizations that promote foreign interests in the United States would have to register as foreign agents under a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) of 1938, individuals working for foreign-supported... Read More »
Effort seeks to minimize dam failure, improve response capability in affected areas
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has been researching ways to minimize risk from a dam failure while improving response capability of stakeholders. Officials said the Kentucky Division of Water and S&T’s Flood Apex program are working together... Read More »
Rep. McSally laments closure of National Guard Apache battalions
Army Secretary Mark Esper’s decision to dismantle the 1-285th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) in Marana, Arizona, met resistance from U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) on Tuesday. McSally, the former commander of the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, voiced her... Read More »
Senate Intel Committee releases recommendations to shore up election security
The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has concluded that the country’s election infrastructure remains resilient despite Russian attempts to hack state voting systems, but the committee released recommendations on Tuesday to better defend against future attempts to undermine... Read More »