Policy
Raytheon to pay more than $950M to settle foreign bribery charges
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday that Raytheon Company, a subsidiary of RTX, will pay more than $950 million as a result of an investigation into a major government fraud scheme. According to the DOJ, Raytheon will pay the fine and enter into a three-year deferred... Read More »
NNSA launches 25-year blueprint for nuclear security
On Tuesday, the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) released its 25-year plan for the Nuclear Security Enterprise. The Enterprise Blueprint will align the delivery of specialized infrastructure with the demands across the nuclear stockpile, global security... Read More »
Washington state’s DNA project has collected 3,000 samples
A DNA project lawfully owed by Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has helped law enforcement collect 3,000 DNA profiles of serious criminal offenders over the past five years and logged them into the national Combined DNA Index System. The system can exonerate individuals who were... Read More »Charges pressed against seven members of Pennsylvania firearm trafficking ring
Law enforcement recently pressed charges against seven members of the Six Figure Boys, a Pittsburgh-based retail theft and firearms trafficking ring. Group members were based in Pittsburgh’s Northview Heights neighborhood and included a pawn shop owner who allegedly bought and re-sold stolen... Read More »
DHS Joint Task Force authority legislation becomes law
Legislation that would reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Joint Task Forces authority was signed into law this month, officials said. The legislation, authored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (R-MI) would allow DHS to establish joint operations using DHS personnel and resources... Read More »
Secret Service holds card skimming and fraud operation in Illinois, Indiana
On Thursday, the U.S. Secret Service joined state and local law enforcement partners in Illinois and Indiana to complete a 2-day payment card skimming and electronic Benefit Transfer fraud operation. The sting save residents an estimated $1.8 million in prevented losses, officials said.... Read More »
Sen. Peters asks DOD Inspector General to add oversight to PFAS remediation efforts in Michigan
On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) asked the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of the Inspector General to add oversight on the department’s efforts to remediate per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Michigan communities. Peters, the chair of the Homeland Security and... Read More »
DHS Science and Technology Directorate awards $789,280 in contracts
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently announced four contract awards, totaling $789,280, for the development of synthetic data capabilities that model and replicate the shape and patterns of real data. “Sharing sensitive data that can be used... Read More »
Alien sexual offenders would be deported under pending federal legislation
The recent introduction of a bipartisan, bicameral bill in Congress would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to classify sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence as aggravated felonies, which are deportable offenses. U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) Oct. 4 cosponsored the Better... Read More »
U.S. DOD awards research grants to nearly 100 HBCUs, minority-serving institutions
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced it had awarded more than $50 million in grants to researchers at nearly 100 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and at minority-serving institutions (MIs). According to the DOD the 98 grants are for up to $800,000 each and... Read More »
Tribes receive more than $84M to combat public safety challenges
The U.S. Justice Department recently awarded 90 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes more than $84 million in Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) grants. The grants help enhance tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses, fund an array of services for crime... Read More »
Rep. D’Esposito questions FEMA storm modeling after Helene
On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), asked FEMA for answers on how it used advanced forecasting and rainfall modeling to prepare for Hurricane Helene. D’Esposito, chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, sent a letter to the FEMA... Read More »
National Security Data and Policy Institute launches
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the University of Virginia have partnered to create the National Security Data and Policy Institute. The institute will advance the intelligence community's (IC) use of emerging technologies to collect, analyze, and manage... Read More »
Terrorism threat, both foreign and domestic, remains high DHS report says
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the threat from both foreign and domestic terrorism over the coming year remains high. As part of its 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment report released on Oct. 2, DHS said that a number of factors, including violent extremist responses to domestic... Read More »
DOD awards $43M in research grants to 112 universities
The Department of Defense recently awarded 112 university researchers $43 million in Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) grants. "DURIP awards build vital research infrastructure, advancing the exploration of novel ideas and upholding the cutting-edge capabilities of our... Read More »
DHS announces additional funding to protect faith-based and nonprofit institutions
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday it would distribute another $210 million in funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to protect faith-based and nonprofit organizations. The money, part of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), is the second batch of... Read More »
Legislation would target influx of synthetic drugs
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would try to stop the influx of synthetic analogues entering the United States. Synthetic drugs are engineered substances similar to already-controlled drugs. They often enter the United States undetected from... Read More »
Congressmembers reintroduce legislation targeting wasteful Pentagon spending
On Monday, U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mike Braun (R-IN), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Chuck Grassley (R-IO) reintroduced legislation that would streamline Pentagon spending. The Streamline Pentagon Spending Act, would repeal statutory requirements to provide unfunded priorities lists, reduce... Read More »
Legislation seeks to reform FEMA’s Individual Assistance program
The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee recently advanced bipartisan legislation that would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance program. The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act would improve how FEMA provides assistance to... Read More »
More than 3,400 arrested as part of Operation North Star
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) had arrested more than 3,400 violent fugitives as part of its Operation North Star FY 2024 (ONS FY24). Operation North Star is a high-impact fugitive apprehension initiative. The recent sweep resulted in the... Read More »
Legislation leveraging AI to handle pandemic preparedness introduced
On Thursday, U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced legislation that would use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to handle pandemic preparedness and response. The co-chairs of the Senate AI Caucus said the legislation would establish a program called MedShield and would... Read More »
Legislation would combat Chinese cyber threats
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would combat growing cyber threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against critical infrastructure. The Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act would create an interagency task force tasked... Read More »
Congressmen request briefing with FBI, SEC on Chinese company
Republicans on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) Subcommittee are requesting a joint briefing from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Chinese Communist Party member-linked Temu and its parent company, Pinduoduo... Read More »
House passes legislation to bolster wildfire tech
On Thursday, the U.S. House passed legislation designed to combat wildfires across the country. The Wildfire Tech Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization (DEMO) Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) would allow private entities to partner with... Read More »
Legislation would increase cyber training access
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would increase the accessibility of cyber training and education. “I am proud to introduce legislation to ensure all levels of government have the best and brightest cyber professionals on the frontlines of America’s cyber... Read More »
HHS boosts Mpox global vaccine supply through donations
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it would donate more than a million doses of the mpox vaccine, boosting both domestic and international supply. The JYNNEOS mpox vaccine received regulatory approval from the World Health Organization last week.... Read More »
DHS opens application period for cybersecurity grants
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced the availability of $279.9 million in State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program grant funding for fiscal year 2024. The program funds projects that help reduce cyber risk and build resilience against evolving cybersecurity threats by... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation accelerating microchip manufacturing projects passes House
On Monday, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and his Senate colleagues applauded the passage of legislation designed to accelerate the U.S. microchip manufacturing permitting process in the House of Representatives. The Building Chips in America Act would streamline federal permitting process for... Read More »
Senate committee passes terrorist watchlist reform legislation
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed legislation that would provide some reforms to the terrorism watchlist and traveler screening processes. The legislation, the Enhanced Oversight and Accountability in Screening Act, introduced by U.S.... Read More »
United States, UK, Canada partner for technology research and development
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the U.K. Ministry of Defence and the Canadian Department of National Defence have partnered to collaboratively research, development, test, and evaluate artificial intelligence (AI), cyber technologies, resilient systems, and information... Read More »
DHS S&T delivers wildfire sensors to Colorado
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) celebrated National Preparedness Month by announcing the delivery and phased implementation of wildland fire sensors throughout Colorado. S&T said 20 wildfire detection and four wind sensors are... Read More »
Legislation would reduce reliance on China for critical minerals
The U.S. Senate recently passed bipartisan legislation that would reduce U.S. reliance on foreign nations for critical minerals. The bipartisan Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act would establish a presidential task force tasked with determining how to address national... Read More »
Legislation introduced to recruit, retain firefighters
U.S. Reps. Greg Landsman (D-OH) and Mike Carey (R-OH) announced they had introduced bipartisan legislation to recruit and retain firefighters across the country. The Enhancing SAFER Grants for Local Firefighters Act would enhance existing federal grant programs used by local fire departments,... Read More »
TSA proposes REAL ID enforcement flexibilities
On Thursday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) proposed new rules that would provide federal agencies with the flexibility to enforce REAL ID regulations. The proposed rule would ensure that federal agencies, including TSA, can enforce REAL ID requirements starting May 7, 2025.... Read More »