Policy
Two legislative measures seek reports on North Korea activity
U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) has joined two colleagues in introducing measures requiring the President of the United States to provide Congress with reports on North Korea’s activity. The North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act and the Korean Interdiction and Modernization... Read More »
U.S., South Korean agencies issue joint Cybersecurity Advisory for critical infrastructure as result of North Korean actions
Efforts by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) continue to produce state-sponsored ransomware and have successfully attacked healthcare and public health sector organizations and other critical infrastructure, according to a new advisory. This Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) was the... Read More »
Sen. Rubio introduces No Coyote Cash bill to criminalize financing of unlawful border crossings
Although crossing into the United States unlawfully is a crime, some argue financially assisting that crime is only vaguely addressed as a crime itself - so this week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and several colleagues set out to change that through the No Coyote Cash Act. “President... Read More »
Bill seeks to address Iranian regime corruption exposure
U.S. Reps. David Kustoff (R-TN) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) recently reintroduced the Stop Corrupt Iranian Oligarchs and Entities Act to address Iranian regime corruption via a compiled list of Iranian oligarchs and entities profiting off the Iranian people. "Over the years, the world has... Read More »
Justice Department outlines illegal exportation sentencing
Justice Department officials have detailed the sentencing of a dual citizen of the United States and Iran for alleged illegal exportation in violation of the International Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Kambiz Attar Kashani, 44, was sentenced to 30 months in prison in federal court in Brooklyn,... Read More »
Coalition of Republican attorneys general urge federal terrorist designation for Mexican Drug Cartels
A coalition of 21 Republican state attorneys general wrote President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week urging them to designate Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and provide additional federal resources for combating fentanyl. “The national... Read More »
Bill seeks to extend benefits of fallen TSA officers
U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) has introduced the Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act, which extends benefits to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers killed in the line of duty. “Every day, TSA officers put their lives on the line in order to protect millions of Americans in... Read More »
Democratic lawmakers reintroduce Keep Americans Safe Act
A group of lawmakers recently reintroduced the Keep Americans Safe Act, which seeks to ban the importation, sale, manufacturing, transfer, or possession of gun magazines holding over 10 rounds of ammunition. U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) have joined 26 colleagues in... Read More »
DOJ Roadmap for Implementation for Columbus, Ohio police yields review, changes to problem solving
With the completion of a Roadmap for Implementation for the Columbus Division of Police (CDP) by the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), reformation work has begun in the Ohio city to examine and revise the use of force, problem-solving and more.... Read More »
Representatives call for crackdown on Iranian drones, investigation of potential U.S. part connections
Despite major economic restrictions placed on Iran, U.S. intelligence has estimated that perhaps 75 percent of the components for Iranian drones recently used by Russia in suicidal bombing raids against Ukraine were U.S.-made, which caused a stir among House members this week. A bipartisan... Read More »
FBI, partners issue global financial sextortion warning
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined international law enforcement partners in issuing a warning regarding global financial sextortion. "Financial sextortion has a far wider impact than just our country and our kids—it is a global crisis that demands everyone’s attention,"... Read More »
Initiative seeks to strengthen international cybersecurity
The United States has joined Australia, India, and Japan in initiating the Quad Cyber Challenge, which seeks to improve cybersecurity across the nations. "We are inviting Internet users across the Indo-Pacific and beyond to join the Challenge and pledge to practice safe and responsible cyber... Read More »
U.S. Border Patrol trains Mexican counterparts in search, rescue efforts
As part of ongoing bi-national efforts, Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents spent Jan. 9-20, 2023, training 13 members of Mexico’s border rescue agency, Grupos Beta, to undertake migrant rescue along the United States-Mexican border. “It is important that we continue... Read More »
New Senate bill would create a bipartisan, bicameral Joint Select Committee on Afghanistan
Looking to put the Biden administration’s withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan under greater scrutiny, several Republican senators led by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) recently introduced legislation that would create a bicameral Joint Select Committee on Afghanistan. The bill, known only... Read More »
Legislation introduced to protect first responders from lethal substances, provide training
In a bicameral move, U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and David Trone (D-MD) introduced the Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act last week to create a federal program providing local governments with resources to purchase containment devices for narcotics and offer training to first... Read More »
CBP proposed guidance eyes bolstered aviation security
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced a proposal to enhance international air travel security for commercial flight travelers to and from the United States. The published Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) addresses the expansion of existing advance data requirements via... Read More »
Reps. Comer, Lucas seek communications regarding DOE National Laboratories targeted by Russian hacking team
U.S. Reps. James Comer (R-KY) and Frank Lucas (R-OK) recently forwarded correspondence to the Department of Energy (DOE) requesting documents and communications regarding three DOE National Laboratories targeted by a Russian hacking team last year. Comer, chairman of the House Committee on... Read More »
GAO, Rep. Clarke call for greater implementation of federal cybersecurity efforts
Although the majority – nearly 79 percent – of recommendations related to federal cybersecurity called for by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 2010 have been implemented, major room for improvement remains, and this week, U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) added her voice to the... Read More »
Legislation seeks to enable ATF to electronically search gun sale records
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) recently introduced the Crime Gun Tracing Modernization Act, which would enable the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to electronically search gun sale records following a crime committed with a... Read More »
DHS to implement victim-centered approach into policies for human trafficking
According to the second annual report from the Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT), a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 2022 brought implementation plans for a new victim-centered approach at the agency, along with hundreds of victims aided and thousands of... Read More »
Bipartisan Senate push yields Wildfire Emergency Act to address western wildfires
Seeking to increase preparedness for wildfires and reduce the risks they pose, a bipartisan group of senators this week introduced the Wildfire Emergency Act, using it to push for funding, new programs, and greater firefighter training efforts. “Wildfires throughout Western states,... Read More »
Bill targets bolstered student, educator human trafficking insight
U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) recently introduced legislation that seeks to educate students and teachers regarding human trafficking. The Human Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Training Act would establish a grant program within the Office of... Read More »
North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs secures FEMA SAFER grant funds
The North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs (NCAFC) has received a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. The two-year, $839,380 funding allotment would support firefighter recruitment and retention. The NCAFC is partnering... Read More »
Rep. Feenstra introduces legislation addressing farmland foreign threats
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) recently touted the benefits of the newly introduced Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act, which offers supply chains and family farms foreign threats protections. “American farmland belongs to American farmers – period,” said Feenstra, who helped... Read More »
Citizenship and Immigration Services leadership detail new strategic plan
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials said the agency's newly released FY 2023-2026 Strategic Plan targets strengthened capabilities and aids the nation in attaining its highest ideals. “The work of USCIS makes the possibility of America a reality for immigrants from... Read More »
Legislation seeks to strengthen wildfire detection initiatives
U.S. Reps. Mike Garcia (R-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), and Judy Chu (D-CA) recently introduced the Fire Information and Reaction Enhancement (FIRE) Act, which seeks to enhance wildfire detection efforts. Specifically, the legislation would enable the National Oceanic and... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Green, Bishop urge TSA for answers on No-Fly List hack
Fallout continues for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) over the hack and release of data from its official No-Fly List earlier this month, as U.S. Reps. Mark Green (R-TN) and Dan Bishop (R-NC) demanded answers and oversight of how this happened. Green is the chairman of the... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Peters reintroduces bill to increase scrutiny of foreign influences
The Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act was reintroduced last week by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) in a continued push to open up the Lobbying Disclosure Act and close loopholes that would increase awareness of foreign lobbying in the federal government. Peters noted that the bill... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Hawley advocate for GAO to examine contractor, Chinese government risks
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) are urging the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine the national security risks of consulting companies contracting with the U.S. government and the Chinese government. The senators also seek GAO examination of potential national... Read More »
New border enforcement measures drop unlawful border crossings 97 percent in January
According to preliminary figures touted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), new measures deployed by the Biden administration have led to drastic reductions in illegal border crossings in the first month of 2023, setting January up for the lowest levels of monthly border encounters since... Read More »
Bill seeks permanent fentanyl analogues scheduling
U.S. Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Bob Latta (R-OH), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) recently introduced the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act, which seeks to permanently schedule fentanyl analogues while granting researchers the ability to conduct fentanyl substance... Read More »
Essential Medicines Strategic Stockpile Act seeks bipartisan solution to drug shortages, foreign supply chain reliance
United States Reps. Earl Carter (R-GA) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) took a second go at introducing the Essential Medicines Strategic Stockpile Act (H.R.405) this week, seeking to create a pre-plotted list of generic medications essential for public health emergencies and cut dependence on China... Read More »
CISA report offers school cybersecurity threat protections
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) officials said a recently released report and toolkit seeks to aid K-12 schools in protecting against cybersecurity threats. CISA noted Partnering to Safeguard K-12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats provides insight into the current... Read More »
Democrats in renewed Senate push for Assault Weapons Ban following California shootings
This week, U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CN), and Chris Murphy (D-CN) introduced two bills to increase protections against guns nationwide following another series of mass shootings in California. Respectively, the bills proposed were the Assault Weapons Ban and the Age... Read More »