Policy
U.S. attorney launches Scam Center Strike Force
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro recently announced the creation of the Scam Center Strike Force tasked with protecting Americas against Southeast Asian cryptocurrency-related fraud and scams. “Scam centers are creating a generational wealth transfer from Main Street America into the pockets... Read More »
FEMA to evaluate Pennsylvania nuclear exercise
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be evaluating a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Limerick Generating Station in Pennsylvania on Sunday. The exercise will assess Pennsylvania’s ability to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.... Read More »
Legislation would bar presidents from unilaterally resuming explosive nuclear testing
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would ensure no president can unilaterally resume explosive nuclear testing. The No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act would require Congressional approval to restart explosive nuclear tests. Presidents would be required to provide Congress... Read More »
Legislation seeks to make secret service director a Senate-confirmed position
U. S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) have reintroduced their legislation that would change the requirements of the U.S. secret service director. The legislation, Providing Real Oversight and Transparency to Effectively Counter Threats (PROTECT) Act, would ensure... Read More »
Coast Guard seizes nearly 510,000 pounds of cocaine in fiscal year 2025
During fiscal year 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard seized a record nearly 510,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean. The amount is the equivalent of 193 million potentially lethal doses of 1.2 grams. The Coast Guard is the United States’ lead federal agency for maritime... Read More »
Groups urge Congress to reject proposed $32B increase in Pentagon spending
A number of organizations called for Congressional leaders in the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to reject the Senate’s proposed increase in Pentagon spending. In a letter to leaders in both houses of Congress, the 10 national organizations across the policy spectrum said the... Read More »
CISA, NSA and other unveil security blueprint to harden Microsoft Exchange servers
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the National Security Agency (NSA) and other international cybersecurity partners released the “Microsoft Exchange Server Security Best Practices” guidance this week. The blueprint for hardening Microsoft Exchange servers builds... Read More »
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services upgrades verification systems
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it has upgraded its Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program that will allow states to verify voter citizenship. The agency said the upgrades will ensure that only U.S. citizens are voting in federal elections by allowing... Read More »
Republican legislators ask Commerce Department to investigate China-tied tech threats
U.S. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Brian Mast (R-FL), Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Andrew Garbarina (R-NY) are urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to look into technological threats from China-based companies. In a letter to Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick, the Congressmen asked that the Office of... Read More »
FCC approves new safeguards to protect U.S. communications networks
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to close loopholes in its Covered List to secure America’s communications networks against devices that may pose a risk to national security. The devices, many of which are tied to foreign adversaries like China, can allow foreign... Read More »
Treasury Department sanctions Mexican transnational criminal organization
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) recently sanctioned the Bhardwaj Human Smuggling Organization (Bhardwaj HSO), a Mexican-based transnational criminal organization. OFAC also sanctioned Bhardwaj HSO’s Vikrant Bhardwaj, three others, and 16... Read More »
DHS ends automatic extension of employment authorizations for renewal applications
A new rule from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will end the automatic extension of employment authorizations for immigrants filing renewal applications. Instead, the new interim final rule would prioritize screening and vetting of immigrants before extending the validity of their... Read More »
Pennsylvania challenges Trump administration over homeland security funding
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said his state has joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to revoke homeland security grants. Shapiro said the administration’s decision to abruptly revoke homeland security funding threatens public safety and critical emergency... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Ernst introduced legislation to help law enforcement detect, track drone threats
Bipartisan legislation from U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) would help law enforcement to detect, track and disable drones that pose a threat to public safety, officials said. The legislation would restore authorizations to respond to drone threats near airports, stadiums... Read More »
U.S. Marines lay out ‘aggressive’ modernization effort
U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric M. Smith published the 2025 Force Design Update recently, outlining an aggressive modernization initiative for the Marines. The effort is designed to ensure the Marines remain a globally responsive, naval expeditionary force. Smith said the modernization... Read More »
Lockheed Martin’s Orion spacecraft completes major milestone ahead of mission
NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems recently announced they were joining with and connecting the Lockheed Martin-developed Orion spacecraft for the upcoming Artemis II mission. The Orion spacecraft Integrity was transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center where it... Read More »
Legislation would resume federal reporting on gang activity
Bipartisan legislation recently re-introduced in the U.S. Senate would require the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to resume annual reports to Congress on local, national and transnational criminal gang activity... Read More »
U.S. Treasury imposes further sanctions on Russian oil companies
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions against major Russian oil companies as it urged the Russian government to implement an immediate cease fire in Ukraine. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions would increase pressure on the... Read More »
Congressman urges Army to expand footprint, personnel at Fort Sam Houston
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) urged the U.S. Army to consider expanding the operational footprint and the number of personnel at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio as part of “Western Hemisphere Command.” In a letter to Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, Gonzales said San Antonio’s... Read More »
DHS announces “Operation River Wall” to bolster border security
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its latest initiative, Operation River Wall, would secure the Rio Grande against illegal immigration, narco-terrorists and other criminal activity at the country’s southern border. Officials said the operation would use response boats,... Read More »
Legislation to enhance DoD support for small business research programs reintroduced
U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) recently reintroduced legislation that would the DoD to identify programs supporting small business research into future budgets and plans. The legislation, the DOD Entrepreneurial Innovation Act, would require the DoD to identify the Small Business Research (SBIR)... Read More »
FBI Operation results in 19 arrests, drug and asset seizures
In partnership with local, state and federal authorities, the FBI in Pittsburgh announced it had arrested 19 fugitives during the FBI’s five-day nationwide initiative - Operation Summer Heat. Officials said that from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10, FBI Pittsburgh, along with the U.S. Marshals Service, the... Read More »
Governors in 15 states launch public health alliance
Governors in 15 states announced the launch of the Governors Public Health Alliance designed to protect the health of people across the United States. The initiative will help states and territories to coordinate and address health threats across state lines, officials said. It will serve as a... Read More »
Senators prepare to advance ROTOR Act out of committee
U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced a bipartisan agreement on the ROTOR Act they said will help advance it out of committee. Cruz, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Cantwell, the committee’s ranking member, said the text of the Rotorcraft Operations... Read More »
CISA issues emergency directive after identifying cyber threat targeting federal networks
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently issued an emergency directive after identifying a significant cyber threat targeting federal networks utilizing certain F5 devices and software. F5 disclosed that a nation-state threat actor had long-term persistent access to,... Read More »
Sen. Cassidy expresses concern over Cisco cyberattack
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, (R-LA), Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee chairman, recently sent a letter to Cisco Systems CEO and chairman Chuck Robbins expressing concerns over recent cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Cisco is the world’s largest network infrastructure... Read More »
Texas delegation pushes to reinstate cross-border threat screening center at Texas A&M University
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and other members of the Texas Congressional delegation urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reinstate the Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense Center of Excellence at Texas A&M University. The CBTS at Texas A&M assists state... Read More »
DOJ files largest-ever forfeiture action against $15B in bitcoin currently in U.S. custody
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the founder and chair of Prince Holding Group, Chen Zhi, has been indicted on wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering for his part in the group’s forced-labor scam compounds across Cambodia. Prince Group’s operations allegedly held individuals... Read More »
CBP, DHS award $4.5B in Smart Wall construction contracts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security recently awarded 10 construction contracts totaling approximately $4.5 billion to add 230 miles of Smart Wall border security systems and nearly 400 miles of new technology along the southwest border. The Smart Wall... Read More »
DHS to purchase new Coast Guard icebreakers in deal with Finland
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced it will purchase new icebreaker ships from Finland. In a joint appearance with President Donald Trump, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the deal is critical for protecting America’s interests in the Arctic. Trump signed the deal with... Read More »
DHS condemns increasing harassment, escalating threats against ICE law enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is asking the media and politicians to tone down the rhetoric regarding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) law enforcement. In recent weeks, there has been a more than 1,000 percent increase in assaults against ICE, and online threats to... Read More »
Bipartisan bill would restore critical cybersecurity protections
Legislation from U.S. Sens. Gary Peters D-MI) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) would renew critical cybersecurity provisions that expired on Sept. 30. Peters, the ranking member of the House Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Rounds said the bill, Protecting America from Cyber... Read More »
Legislation introduced to safeguard personal information
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced legislation this week that would repeal a federal mandate for states to share citizens’ personal data. The Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025 would effectively eliminate... Read More »
Secret Service, partners investigate skimming in Boston
The U.S. Secret Service, in partnership with local and state law enforcement from the Boston area, recently conducted a three-day outreach operation between Sept. 23-25 to combat illegal payment card skimming and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) fraud. Law enforcement visited 700 businesses... Read More »