Policy
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 »
DEA, FBI and state law enforcement warn of growing threat of fentanyl in Colorado
In a joint statement, Colorado field offices of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), together with state law enforcement, this week warned people to use only prescription medications as the fentanyl poisonings surge. According to the DEA, fentanyl... Read More »
Senate advances bills to close foreign lobbying loophole
Two bills authored by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) won the approval of their colleagues this week, putting it to the House whether efforts will be taken to close lobbying loopholes the pair fear foreign adversaries could exploit. Respectively, the bills include the... Read More »
CBP issues customs broker education guidance
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is espousing the benefits of newly issued customs broker education guidance, which would bolster compliant trade and protect against illicit trade entering domestic commerce. Senior Official Performing the Duties of Commissioner Troy A. Miller said the new... Read More »
Rep. Newhouse introduces amendment to prohibit who can purchase American farmland
Through an amendment to the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations bill, adopted last week by a vote of 34-26, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) proposed a requirement for the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit purchase of agricultural land by specific entities. “Increased ownership... Read More »
Senators seek to extend CFATS program and its security for chemical facilities
The Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act was introduced in the Senate last week as a proposal to extend the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program beyond its impending July expiration. Introduced by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Shelley... Read More »
DEA details alleged Controlled Substances Act violation resolution
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has indicated Keene, New Hampshire-based Cheshire Medical Center (CMC) will pay $2 million to resolve an alleged Controlled Substances Act (CSA) violation. “Cheshire Medical Center’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the Controlled Substance Act... Read More »
TSA touts CAT, CT technology implementation
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials are espousing the benefits of implementing credential authentication technology (CAT) and computed tomography (CT) scanners at two airports. TSA indicated it has installed a new credential authentication technology (CAT) unit and a 3-D... Read More »
Measure seeks wildfire technologies expansion access
U.S. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Jason Crow (D-CO) have introduced a bill eyeing expanded wildfire technologies access. The Wildfire Tech Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization (DEMO) Act (HR 4235) would enable private entities to partner with federal land management agencies... Read More »
Bipartisan bill would direct U.S. military to identify ways of reducing mineral dependence on foreign adversaries
Concerned about the U.S. need for critical minerals and the domination of those minerals by adversarial nations, three U.S. senators have introduced a bipartisan bill that would direct the Department of Defense (DoD) to find ways to reduce its foreign mineral dependence. Currently, China... Read More »
DHS follows up on successes with next phase of fentanyl surge campaign: Operations Artemis and Rolling Wave
As the next phase of its campaign to target and block illicit fentanyl from entering the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week announced two new operations, Artemis and Rolling Wave. These operations will dispatch multi-disciplined, interagency jump teams to... Read More »
Stop Pills that Kill Act targets counterfeit pill production with new penalties
With reintroduction of the federal Stop Pills that Kill Act this week, U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Lou Correa (D-CA), Ken Buck (R-CO) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ) seek to institute new penalties for counterfeit pill production. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), a single kilogram of... Read More »
Bill seeks to implement amateur radio private land use restrictions
U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Joe Courtney (D-CT) have reintroduced legislation they maintain seeks to govern private land use restrictions on amateur radio. The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act (H.R. 4006) addresses present federal law providing for the installation of TV... Read More »
U.S. DOT proposes new rule to improve freight rail safety through real-time hazmat info
New requirements could be coming to railroads’ provision of hazardous materials information to responders during hazmat incidents, based on a new rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). If adopted, the proposal... Read More »
DOD details supply chain strengthening agreement
The Department of Defense (DOD) has outlined a $13.8 million agreement with a Keene, N.H., firm, noting the pact would strengthen the supply chain. The partnership with the Timken Company (Timken) would increase production of high-precision ball bearings in accordance with the DOD's Office of... Read More »
Bill seeks to provide affordable housing incentives for firefighters, first responders
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) has joined three colleagues to introduce legislation that would provide affordable housing incentives for volunteer firefighters and first responders. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act was introduced by Capito with U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI),... Read More »
South Dakota senators urge additional support for Tribal law enforcement on reservations
Concerned about a spike of crime on reservations in their region, United States Sens. John Thune, Mike Rounds and Dusty Johnson (all R-SD) wrote to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland this week requesting additional Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) support for tribal law enforcement agencies. They... Read More »
Newly introduced Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act proposes tax exemptions for natural disaster preparations
A bipartisan, bicameral collection of federal lawmakers introduced the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Party Act this week, proposing that homeowners be exempt from federal taxes on rebates received for hardening their homes against natural disasters. Such rebates are not a national given, but some... Read More »
Senate advances ports of entry vehicle screening measure
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) are commending Senate colleagues for advancing their bill bolstering efforts to screen vehicles and cargo entering the United States. The Non-Intrusive Inspection Expansion Act would require Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to use... Read More »
Department of Defense signs $45.5M with Arconic Corporation to increase missile, munitions production
Through a new, $45.5 million agreement with Arconic Corporation, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced this week that it seeks to increase production of High Purity Aluminum (HPA) domestically, so as to strengthen production of missiles and munitions in the United States. This... Read More »
Three bipartisan cybersecurity bills advance out of Senate Homeland Security Committee
Three cybersecurity-focused bills authored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) advanced to the full Senate from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this week, proposing new possibilities for outreach, rural hospitals and partnerships abroad. The DHS International Cyber Partner... Read More »
Reintroduced legislation addresses multiple long gun sales
U.S. Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Brad Schneider (D-IL) have joined 13 colleagues to reintroduce a bill that addresses sales of two or more long guns. The Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act requires all federal firearms licensees to report the sale of two or more long guns... Read More »
Justice Department details classified national defense information indictment
The U.S. Department of Justice has outlined charging documents regarding an indictment alleging classified national defense information retaining and transmitting through a social media platform. Jack Douglas Teixeira, 21, of North Dighton, Mass., a member of the U.S. Air National Guard (USANG)... Read More »
Bipartisan bill seeks investigation, plans for pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerabilities
In introducing the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Risk Assessment Act last week, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) proposed an assessment of pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerabilities and toeing plans to reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing. The issue is a long-running one,... Read More »
Senate advances simplified disaster assistance process
U.S. Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently commended Senate approval of legislation that would simplify the disaster assistance process. The Disaster Assistance Deadlines Alignment Act would establish one application deadline for two Federal Emergency... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee advances bill to improve DHS approaches to countering WMDs, health threats
The Offices of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction and Health Security Act, authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX), advanced out of committee this week, clearing the first hurdle to reauthorizing and jumpstarting new efforts at the Department of Homeland... Read More »
Legislation seeks Chinese drone prohibition
A group of lawmakers have introduced legislation designed to prevent the federal, state and local governments from using taxpayer dollars to purchase drones manufactured in nations that include China. U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Lance Gooden (R-TX) and Max Miller... Read More »
Bill examines Iranian uranium production, possession
U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are espousing the benefits of legislation they have introduced to monitor highly enriched Iranian uranium production and possession. The Iranian Enrichment Monitoring Act of 2023 would require the Director of... Read More »
Senate Intelligence Committee unanimously votes for funding and more under FY24 Intelligence Authorization Act
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence this week advanced the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 by unanimous 17-0 vote. “The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 reflects the Senate Intelligence Committee’s bipartisan commitment to ensuring America’s... Read More »
DHS to provide more than $290M for dozens of sites temporarily housing migrants
Funding will be made available to communities that have provided temporary shelter and other eligible expenditures for migrants processed and provisionally released from the custody of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In a soon-to-be-published funding notice, the department –... Read More »
Measure offers agriculture disease outbreak export protections
U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) recently introduced legislation that would enable animal products from unaffected areas to continue to be safely exported in the event of an animal disease outbreak. The Safe American Food Exports (SAFE) Act would structure the United... Read More »
House committee leaders question CISA over chemical facility security, CFATS program
With the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program approaching its sunset date, House committee leaders reached out to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly this week seeking information on its status and potential renewal. Barring further... Read More »
Lockheed Martin, GlobalFoundries partner to advance U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, resiliency
In direct support of the CHIPS and Science Act, Lockheed Martin and GlobalFoundries (GF) announced a new collaboration this week, focused on advancing semiconductor ideas, manufacturing processes, security, and resiliency of domestic supply chains. The CHIPS and Science Act was passed last year,... Read More »