Policy
DHS awards $605M for six competitive preparedness grant programs
The results of six competitive preparedness grant programs under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) came in last week, resulting in $605 million to aid state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, nonprofit agencies, and the private sector ready for terrorism and natural... Read More »
CBP details northern border surge operation
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has detailed a northern border surge operation resulting in the apprehension of 124 people. CBP said its Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Plattsburgh Air Unit collaborated with federal, state and local partners to execute Operation Jagdakommando in response to... Read More »
Mapping America’s Pharmaceutical Supply Act introduced in Senate push for public health preparedness
A database could help identify and address vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain, according to a new bill proposed in the Senate last week – the Mapping America’s Pharmaceutical Supply Act (MAPS), allowing greater preparedness for public health threats overall. The... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation introduced to protect firefighters from PFAS
Through introduction of the bipartisan Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art Alternatives Act (PFAS Alternatives Act), several federal lawmakers recently proposed authorizing $25 million annually through 2028 to support development of new materials, guidance and training for... Read More »
Bicameral NICS Data Integrity Act seeks mandatory, thorough FBI gun-purchase background checks
As gun sales increase and shootings nationwide rise, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) have introduced the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Data Integrity Act requiring the FBI to complete all gun-purchase background checks. Currently,... Read More »
Bipartisan legislators seek Pentagon spending reform
U.S. Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Warren Davidson (R-OH), John Garamendi (D-CA) and Seth Moulton (D-MA) recently detailed the Streamline Pentagon Budgeting Act, which would reform wasteful Department of Defense budget practices. Specifically, the legislation would repeal... Read More »
NTI report examines regressing nuclear security conditions
A Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) analysis maintains nuclear security conditions are regressing among the dozens of countries, as well as areas with weapons-usable nuclear materials and nuclear facilities. “The bottom line is that the countries and areas with the greatest responsibility for... Read More »
Two health security bills propose investigation of nuclear war health impacts, safe use of gene synthesis
A pair of bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) this week would authorize the federal government to investigate the health impacts of nuclear weapons and promote safe design and mass-production of genetic material through artificial gene synthesis.... Read More »
Reps. Huizenga, McCaul introduce legislation to focus on deterrence in South China Sea
U.S. Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) recently introduced legislation that seeks South China Sea deterrence and strengthening Australian security ties. Huizenga and McCaul recently detailed the AUKUS Submarine Transfer Authorization Act. AUKUS is a trilateral security... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Collins press for centralized point of coordination on Northern Border
Through introduction of the Northern Border Coordination Act, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) seek to create a new center to improve border coordination and security under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other authorities. “The federal government must... Read More »
Sen. Ernst, Rep. Gallagher seek to shrink missile gap with China
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) are advocating the Pentagon devise a plan to shrink the China missile gap and strengthen Indo-Pacific deterrence. The Rings of Fire Act specifically outlines requirements for the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy no later than... Read More »
Bill to ensure mass production of medical countermeasures greenlit by House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee
In a vote from the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, U.S. Rep. Bob Latta’s (R-OH) Helping Evaluate Appropriate Logistical Infrastructure for National Government (HEALING) Response Act (H.R. 3703) was cleared as part of a broader reauthorization legislation. Latta’s bill, as... Read More »
Measure addresses wildlands firefighter pay protections
U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), John Barrasso (R-WY), Steve Daines (R-MT), Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Jon Tester (D-MT) recently introduced the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act (S.2272), which would equitably address Wildlands firefighter compensation... Read More »
Federal Information Security Modernization Act proposes greater coordination, reform of cybersecurity laws
A group of senators and representatives collectively introduced the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2023 this week in an effort to reform federal cybersecurity laws left largely untouched since 2014, and to increase communication between governmental entities. The Federal... Read More »
Legislative panel advances measures focused on strengthening homeland security
House Committee on Homeland Security officials are espousing the advancement of legislation they maintain focuses on defending the homeland and standing by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement. The panel advanced legislation to reauthorize the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism... Read More »
Rep. Johnson introduces Team Telecom Act
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) this week reintroduced the Team Telecom Act, which would help the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) avert potential telecom manipulation threats. Team Telecom is the informal name for a makeshift interagency working group composed of representatives from the... Read More »
Congressional delegation talks collective cybersecurity in trip to Netherlands, Estonia and United Kingdom
Reaching out to allies overseas, a bipartisan congressional delegation recently headed to the Netherlands, Estonia and United Kingdom to discuss their cybersecurity approaches and ways to improve both information sharing and collective defense. The trip was led by House Homeland Security... Read More »
Bipartisan Disease X Act would push future pandemic response through countermeasures program
While some have started to put the COVID-19 pandemic firmly behind them, other emphasize the lessons learned, and two of those figures this week introduced the Senate Disease X Act of 2023, proposing creation of a federal Disease X Medical Countermeasures program. Meant to ready the nation for... Read More »
Reps. Fitzpatrick, Golden introduce legislation to prohibit foreign political contributions related to State ballots
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Jared Golden (D-ME) recently introduced the Keeping Foreign Money out of Ballot Measures Act, which prohibits foreign nationals from making political contributions related to State ballot measures and initiatives. “The outcomes of our elections must be... Read More »
Senators press Attorney General for answers over alleged Chinese Intelligence outposts on U.S. soil
Through a letter written to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, 10 senators pressed for details of reports alleging that Chinese Intelligence outposts are operating inside the United States. Citing details from conservative news outlets, the lawmakers spoke of grave concerns about Overseas... Read More »
United States completes destruction of obsolete chemical weapons stockpile
Last week the United States destroyed its last declared chemical weapons stockpile, allowing the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to confirm that all such stockpiles worldwide are now verified gone. It was work spanning decades, following on from the ratification of... Read More »
DHS details new family reunification parole processes for South American countries
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have outlined the implementation of new family reunification parole (FRP) processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. “These new processes promote family unity and provide lawful pathways consistent with our laws and our... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security awards $3.15M in research contracts to 20 small businesses for R&D needs
Through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week awarded research contracts amounting to $3.15 million to 20 small businesses, to advance proof of concept research in seven areas. This will advance in phases, with... Read More »
Measure eyes improvement of tribal law enforcement
U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) are espousing the benefits of legislation that improves hiring and increase retention of tribal law enforcement officers. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, which would also better protect native communities... Read More »
Democratic legislators seek insight on U.S. airstrike in Syria
Three lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, seeking insight regarding a recent U.S. airstrike in Syria. U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) expressed concerns that the May 23 action may... Read More »
Cathinone analogue shipment bound for Washington D.C. halted at Washington Dulles airport
Last month, officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stationed at Washington Dulles International Airport intercepted two boxes destined for Washington, D.C. that turned out to possess about 71 pounds of a cathinone analogue. Cathinone is a substance similar to amphetamines,... Read More »
Senate HELP Committee seeks feedback on proposal to reauthorize public health emergency preparations
Members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a discussion draft of a reauthorization for the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), in search of feedback. PAHPA, first created in 2006, established the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and... Read More »
CBP thwarts narcotics smuggling attempt in California
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have detailed the interception of nearly 900,000 fentanyl pills concealed inside porcelain sinks at the Otay Mesa port of entry’s facility in California. “Narcotics traffickers will try new and innovative ways to smuggle dangerous drugs across... Read More »
Bipartisan bill would require federal flags to be fully American-made
The phrase “Made in the U.S.A” would take on greater importance under a new bill in the Senate, which would require federally-purchased flags to be 100 percent produced and manufactured in the United States. All-American Flag Act is the brainchild of U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Sherrod... Read More »
GAO calls for Navy to update best practices, designs and cost estimates for shipyard projects
The U.S Navy has trouble with accurately estimating project costs according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and with much of its shipyards in poor and outdated condition, evaluators determined changes are needed to properly address the larger design process. In a prominently cited... Read More »
New FDA draft guidances offers psychedelic drugs focus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a new draft guidance the agency noted focuses on considerations to researchers investigating psychedelic drugs for potential treatment of medical conditions. “Psychedelic drugs show initial promise as potential treatments for mood,... Read More »
Justice Department creates regional outreach program for missing or murdered indigenous persons
After years of warnings about the growing number of missing or murdered Indigenous people, and a traveling federal commission investigating the issue, the Justice Department this week announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program. The new... Read More »
New international partnership seeks improvements to registry, sharing of medical product regulatory information
A new connection announced between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) will spur development of a common language and registry of medical product regulatory information globally. The... Read More »
Vulnerability Disclosure Program at DoD Cyber Crime Center sees major growth through partnership with George Mason University
Thanks to a partnership with George Mason University (GMU), the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Crime Center Vulnerability Disclosure Program has grown significantly and successfully on the heels of an award-winning pilot. Utilizing the National Security Innovation Network Capstone... Read More »