Policy
Ravi Chaudhary sworn in as assistant secretary of the USAF for Energy, Installations and Environment
Air Force officials announced that Ravi Chaudhary has been sworn to duty as assistant secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment. The recent ceremony at the Pentagon followed Chaudhary's U.S. Senate confirmation on March 15. In his new position, Chaudhary will be... Read More »
Congressional Singapore trip follows decision to train F-16 squadron at Ebbing Air National Guard base
In order to build relationships with those soon to be training in their state, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) and John Boozman (R-AR) went to Singapore last week. On the heels of a decision to relocate an F-16 squadron to Ebbing Air National Guard base in Arkansas and train Singapore pilots on... Read More »
DEA details life sentence for large-scale drug trafficking organization leader
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials recently announced the sentencing of Jorge Sanchez Morales, aka “Capulina,” 47, to life in prison for leading a large-scale drug trafficking organization. In November 2022, an El Paso jury found Sanchez Morales guilty of conspiracies to import... Read More »
Capitol Hill lawmakers vow to end U.S. drug shortages, dependency on Chinese pharma
The rising dependence that the United States has on many Chinese pharmaceuticals is worsening the nation’s drug shortage and creating a national security risk that several members of Congress want to disrupt. Lawmakers, in fact, have introduced legislation in Congress from both sides of the... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Garcia introduces bills to shuffle COVID-19 relief funds into school safety
As the United States continues to reckon with gun violence nationwide, including in its schools, U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) introduced the latest legislative proposals for change, with the Safe Schools Act and the Strengthening School Security for Students Act. Touted as ways to protect... Read More »
DHS event to spotlight national security technologies
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has planned a two-day, in-person event next month to highlight technology addressing DHS challenges and homeland security needs. The Demo Week initiative funded by DHS's Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP)... Read More »
CISA and partners highlight risk management for National Supply Chain Integrity month
As a way to encourage stakeholders and partners to pursue rigorous supply chain risk management (SCRM) solutions, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and a mix of federal and industry partners are highlighting SCRM as the recipe for resilience in this National Supply Chain... Read More »
Legislation seeks to exclude military Basic Needs Allowance benefits from taxable income
U.S. Reps. Steve Womack (R-AR) and Dan Kildee (D-MI) joined four colleagues to introduce a bill that seeks to exclude military Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) benefits from taxable income. The BNA Fairness Act would amend the tax code and place the BNA in line with the tax status of other military... Read More »
House Homeland Security Republicans request information regarding cybersecurity threat by Chinese-built cranes at U.S. ports
In a letter dispatched to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this week, Republican chairs linked to the House Committee on Homeland Security pressed for answers on potential cybersecurity threats posed by Chinese-manufactured cranes used at U.S. ports. “We are... Read More »
U.S. disrupts supposed Iranian ammunition transport overseas, files forfeiture action
After seizing a flagless vessel in the Arabian Sea on Dec. 1, 2022, U.S. Central Command forces took more than 1 million rounds of ammunition, among other weapon supplies, and as of last week, the Justice Department filed a forfeiture complaint over it, accusing the Iranian Islamic Revolution Guard... Read More »
Raytheon secures Army foreign military sales contract
The U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon Technologies a $1.2 billion foreign military sales contract to provide Switzerland with the Patriot air defense system. The contract is in conjunction with the Global Patriot partnership that includes the United States, Switzerland, and 16 other nations.... Read More »
Rep. Bacon advocates Canine Reimbursement Program funding
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) has requested funding for the Canine Reimbursement Program, following President Joe Biden’s fiscal year 2024 budget determining the program was zeroed out. Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson contacted Bacon when the president’s budget request was released. “I... Read More »
Legislators, law enforcement officials express support for SAFE School Act
Lawmakers and law enforcement personnel are expressing support for the SAFE School Act, which focuses on keeping children safe. U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) would introduce the bill to establish a $900 million grant program enabling public and private schools to... Read More »
Sens. Grassley, Durbin introduce legislation to reform H-1B and L-1 visa programs
Through the introduction of the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act last week, U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durban (D-IL) took aim at visa programs, intending to reform them and reduce fraud while introducing greater scrutiny of the recruitment process for foreign workers. Both visa... Read More »
Senate panel advances open source software protection bill
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has advanced the Securing Open Source Software Act - noting it protects federal and critical infrastructure systems. The measure introduced by Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) now moves to the full Senate for... Read More »
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro calls for more than $86M for 9-1-1 dispatch, firefighters and EMS in budget proposal
In his first budget proposal, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called for more than $50 million for 9-1-1 dispatch systems and $36 million to staff, equip and train firefighters and EMS providers. “I know firsthand how our local municipal and county governments are on the frontlines of keeping... Read More »
Legislation targets emergency room care gap
U.S. Reps. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) recently reintroduced the MISSION Zero Act, which would aid in addressing the emergency room care gap. The bill would enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to continue assigning trauma surgeons to civilian trauma centers. “The... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation seeks to classify illicit xylazine use under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act
A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently introduced the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, which seeks to classify the drug under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. U.S. Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Ken Buck (R-CO), and Chris Pappas (D-NH)... Read More »
House Artificial Intelligence for National Security Act seeks A.I. cybersecurity programs to bolster DoD security
In a nod to evolving needs, fears, and digital capabilities, United States Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Artificial Intelligence for National Security Act (H.R. 1718) this week, pushing for A.I. enabled cybersecurity programs to increase security on Department... Read More »
Senate panel advances bill targeting human trafficking
A group of lawmakers recently commended the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's advancement of the IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act, which supports individuals impacted by human trafficking. The bill introduced by Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), and John... Read More »
Air Force civilian, military personnel advocate passage of ‘on-time’ budget
Air Force civilian and military personnel recently expressed to lawmakers the importance of passing a timely budget to ensure Air and Space Force modernization efforts are not delayed. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., and Chief of Space... Read More »
TSA to use $10.4B budget to increase pay, checkpoint technologies and more
During a hearing with the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week, the latter’s administrator, David Pekoske, lent insight into the agency’s plans for its $10.4 billion allotment under a 2024 budget... Read More »
House approves Undersea Cable Control Act
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) recently commended House of Representatives colleagues for passing the Undersea Cable Control Act. The legislation, which Mast introduced, protects American superiority in undersea cable capabilities from China’s economic and military reach and requires the Biden... Read More »
Bicameral FIRE STATION Act introduced to upgrade fire, EMS facilities nationwide
With a proposed $750 million grant program, the newly introduced FIRE STATION Act, put forth by U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as well as U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), pushes for modifications, upgrades and build-up of fire and EMS facilities across the... Read More »
Bipartisan United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act proposes $50M annual fund for defense collaboration
With the introduction of the United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act of 2023 last week, a collection of U.S. representatives are seeking to set aside $50 million annually for defense collaboration on emerging technologies between the two countries. “The United States and Israel face a... Read More »
House panel advances legislation addressing permanent scheduling of fentanyl
U.S. Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Bob Latta (R-OH) are commending the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee's advancement of legislation addressing fentanyl analogues permanent scheduling. Bill proponents indicated the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act... Read More »
Justice Department details arrest of alleged hacker forum founder
The U.S. Department of Justice has detailed the arrest of the alleged founder and operator of BreachForums, an alleged marketplace for cybercriminals to buy, sell and trade hacked or stolen data. Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, 20, of Peekskill, New York, made an initial appearance in the Eastern... Read More »
House Next Generation 9-1-1 Act introduced to overhaul emergency communications systems
Concerned that 9-1-1 systems begun more than 50 years ago might be in danger of growing outdated, U.S. Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2023 last week to rally for modernization. Communications have changed dramatically in the past... Read More »
DHS, German leadership detail mutual security cooperation
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Minister of the Interior and Community of Germany Nancy Faeser recently outlined a collaboration addressing security threats facing the countries. The delegations met in Washington, D.C., to discuss countering the... Read More »
DHS launches new website for terrorism, targeted violence prevention resources
Pulling from available grants, research, training opportunities, and other resources from 17 federal agencies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attempted to make an easier public web access point for resources to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. With... Read More »
Non-profit report makes recommendations to improve U.S. public health system, grounded in current readiness
By measuring states’ current emergency readiness levels and data on weather-related disasters, vaccinations, and more, a new report from the nonprofit health policy organization Trust for America’s Health made a case for strengthening public health preparedness. Of the greatest concerns to... Read More »
Coast Guard details USCGC Venturous patrol assignment
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officials have detailed the successful completion of the USCGC Venturous (WMEC 625) assignment in the Florida Straits and Windward Passage. The crew recently returned to their homeport in St. Petersburg, Florida, following a 47-day patrol in support of Homeland Security... Read More »
CBP outlines foiled San Diego narcotics smuggling attempts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials recently announced the thwarting of three recent major narcotics smuggling attempts worth more than $5.7 million via the San Diego Field Office. The first seizure involved a driver identified as a 25-year-old female in possession of a valid... Read More »
Federal indictments filed for arms control violations, pursuit of military technology by Iranian operatives
A quick series of legal moves built on one another this week, kicked off by a federal court in the District of Columbia unsealing two indictments against multiple defendants for violations of arms export controls and economic schemes to procure and export military technology to Iran. The cases... Read More »