Policy
Cornyn leads Senate Republicans to Back the Blue, proposing new penalties for attacks on officers
Together with 38 Republican colleagues, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Back the Blue Act last week, which would mandate a new federal crime for offenses against federal officers and judges, limit court review of related challenges and expand officer rights. The act would take four... Read More »
House panel advances Beagle Brigade Act
Bipartisan legislators are commending the House Agriculture Committee's advancement of the Beagle Brigade Act (H.R. 1480), which authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Detector Dog Training Center. U.S. Reps. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Dan Kildee... Read More »
Measure seeks to bolster defense-centric small business investment
U.S. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Pat Fallon (R-TX), and Rob Wittman (R-VA) recently reintroduced the Investing in American Defense Technologies Act, which targets defense-centric small business investment. The legislation creates a federal public-private partnership to scale, support and... Read More »
Senate legislation introduced to simplify FEMA disaster recovery assistance process
In introducing the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act this week, a bipartisan three senators proposed the creation of a universal application for federal disaster recovery assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The current system, in the views of U.S. Sens. Gary Peters... Read More »
Legislation introduced to modernize, expand National Weather Service radio coverage
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has advanced two national weather targeting modernization and expansion of the nation’s weather communication and radio service. U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), committee chair, and Ted Cruz (R-TX), ranking member, introduced the... Read More »
Department of Defense awards $18M to 28 academic competitive research teams
Under the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) this week awarded $18 million to 28 collaborative academic teams, encouraging their research capabilities to enhance U.S. science and engineering. “DEPSCoR allows us to tap... Read More »
DHS, DOJ detail lawful immigration pathways guidance
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the finalization of a new rule further incentivizing individuals to use lawful and orderly pathways to enter the United States. “This Administration has led the largest expansion of legal pathways for... Read More »
Lawmakers seek suspected terrorist southern border encounter insight
U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has joined six North Carolina colleagues in forwarding correspondence to Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol officials regarding southern border suspected terrorist encounters. "The chaos at our southern border has created a humanitarian... Read More »
DHS eyes bolstered portable drug detection system capabilities
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is seeking methods to bolster portable drug detection system capabilities. DHS personnel indicated the agency is collaborating with the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to... Read More »
U.S. lawmakers propose expanded assessment tool, oversight in military housing accountability push
With the introduction of the Military Housing Transparency and Accountability Act, as part of May and Military Appreciation Month, U.S. Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) seek to increase housing information available to military members and their families. “As an Army dad,... Read More »
Operation Long Mile: one year, thousands of investigations and millions of drugs seized from Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported the results of its year-long Operation Last Mile this week, touting millions of fentanyl pills and pounds of fentanyl power, methamphetamine, firearms and cash seized, alongside thousands of arrests made. Operation Last Mile was a targeted... Read More »
Maine Border Patrol turns to public for help combating human smuggling activity
While noting four separate successes against human smuggling in the past two weeks, the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) in Maine recently called on the general public for help to stop further illicit border activities. Despite a vast border area, USBP contended that it simply lacks the manpower to... Read More »
Sen. Rubio questions military approach to EV adoption
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is expressing concerns regarding the Biden administration's approach to the military adopting an all-electric, non-tactical vehicle (EV) fleet by 2030. Rubio has forwarded correspondence to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, seeking insight amid citing a pattern of... Read More »
Legislation seeks to reduce student opioid deaths
U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Dean Phillips (D-MN) are espousing the benefits of the recently introduced School Access to Naloxone Act - maintaining the bill would reduce student opioid overdose deaths. “The number of young Americans dying due to an overdose doubled in 2020, underscoring... Read More »
Rep. Salazar urges DHS to bolster migration resources for Guatemalan government
U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) is urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to bolster Guatemalan government resources to address the anticipated migrant surge ahead of Title 42’s expiration. Salazar has forwarded correspondence to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the... Read More »
DHS rolls out process to re-parole Afghan nationals living, working in United States
As a way to extend the humanitarian outreach to Afghan nationals who arrived and worked in the United States under Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) will be able to re-parole beginning in June, utilizing online and paper filing to extend their right to live and work legally. OAW was created in 2021... Read More »
Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act fuel $63M investments into fuel breaks
As part of efforts to invest in America, made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $63 million in wildfire barriers, or fuel breaks, to slow wildfires and protect firefighters. “For... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation reintroduced to strengthen public-private partnerships with DHS to detect illicit drugs
In a bid to improve Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detection and interdiction capabilities for illicit drugs and their precursor chemicals, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) reintroduced the Enhancing DHS Drug Seizures Act last week. Although the legislation was... Read More »
GAO notes needed improvement in readiness of American Armed Forces
The readiness of the U.S. military leaves some things to be desired, according to testimonies from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which recently noted that each branch seems to be operating on its own playing field. The Navy appears to be the worst off, with readiness having... Read More »
Justice Department details Operation SpecTor results
Justice Department officials have detailed the results of Operation SpecTor - described by authorities as a globally coordinated effort spanning three continents to disrupt dark web fentanyl and opioid trafficking. “Operation SpecTor was a coordinated international law enforcement effort,... Read More »
Legislation introduced to reauthorize funding for Project Safe Neighborhoods program
A group of lawmakers recently introduced the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act, which would reauthorize funding for the nationwide law enforcement program. U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Thom Tillis... Read More »
New House legislation seeks mental health task force to recommend strategy for U.S. military issues
Under the Servicemembers Mental Health Improvement Act (H.R. 3011) introduced this week, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) could be required to create a mental health task force to recommend a path of address for issues facing the U.S. military. Between 2016 and 2020, the DoD reported... Read More »
Center for Health Security recommends adequately funded, authorized and targeted CDC in response to Congressional reformation queries
Following up on a request for information (RFI) from U.S. Rep. Marionette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), in which she pushed for changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security delivered a proposal for a well-funded, appropriately authorized and... Read More »
Rep. Clarke introduces legislation to ensure DHS climate change preparedness
U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) has joined colleagues to introduce the Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act (H.R. 2924), which ensures the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is prepared to address climate change impacts. U.S. Reps. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS),... Read More »
Measure seeks to enhance hazardous weather forecasting
A group of lawmakers recently reintroduced legislation seeking to improve hazardous weather forecasting that includes tornadoes. U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) recently joined seven colleagues in detailing the Tornado Observation Research Notification and Deployment to... Read More »
U.S. Chamber of Commerce gathers more than 430 business groups for LIBERTY campaign on border security, immigration
Citing recent polling that placed Republican and Democrat voters in support of strengthened border security policies and easier paths for immigration, the United States Chamber of Commerce and more than 430 business groups this week formed the LIBERTY Campaign to push for reform at the national... Read More »
Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act reintroduced in bipartisan push to address staffing shortages
A second attempt at legislation, introduced to the Senate last week, would compel the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hire at least 600 additional officers per year until its staffing needs are filled. The Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act was proposed by U.S. Sens. Gary... Read More »
Bill targets defense budget transparency, accountability
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a measure that increases defense budget transparency and accountability. U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-TX), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ) have detailed the Audit the Pentagon Act of 2023 in the wake of the Pentagon failing... Read More »
DoD details hypersonic, strategic systems strengthening actions
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has detailed actions the agency maintains will result in strengthening hypersonic and strategic systems supply chains. The DoD indicated its Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD(IBP)), via its Office of Manufacturing... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee votes Border Reinforcement Act forward
Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee achieved a major goal last week when they advanced the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023 (H.R. 2794) out of committee and to the House floor to revamp border security and stymie Biden administration changes. “This legislation takes a targeted... Read More »
DHS initiative seeks enhanced software supply chain
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently announced seven awards stemming from an innovative technologies topic call will enhance software supply chain visibility tools. S&T’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) issued the... Read More »
Reintroduction of MADE in America Act pushes for domestic drug manufacturing
Looking to loosen the grip of foreign nations on the pharmaceutical supply chain and favor domestic manufacturing instead, a dozen Republican representatives reintroduced the Manufacturing API, Drugs, and Excipients (MADE) in America Act last week. “The success of United States supply chain... Read More »
Reps. Garbarino, Swalwell seek insight on CISA program office goals
U.S. Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) recently requested details regarding the new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) program office goals. Garbarino, chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, and Swalwell, ranking... Read More »
Briefing details effort combating civil aviation terrorist threats
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar recently briefed the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding combating global civil aviation terrorist threats. The ICAO is a United Nations agency that helps 193... Read More »