Policy
Senators rush to extend federal support for local fire departments as program expiration nears
The Senate took the first step to extend federal programs supporting local fire departments nationwide this week, voting to advance the Fire Grants and Safety Act out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Now the bill heads to the full Senate. There, the remainder... Read More »
Virginia Attorney General Miyares announces acquistion of ballistics triage tool
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is espousing the benefits of his office securing new ballistics technology, Ballistics IQ (BIQ), for ten Project Ceasefire and nearby cities. Ballistics IQ is a ballistics triage tool that can allow law enforcement to quickly establish leads based on... Read More »
CBP, cruise line initiate facial biometrics effort
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has joined Carnival Cruise Line in launching facial biometric comparison technology for closed-loop cruises. The Port of Jacksonville, Fla., is the latest seaport to further secure and enhance the debarkation process. “CBP and Carnival are innovating the... Read More »
Fire retardant exemptions sought through Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act
Hitting back at a group suing the U.S. Forest Service to block the use of fire retardant nationwide without an exemption permit under the Clean Water Act, U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) introduced new legislation to make that exemption standard. Currently, agencies... Read More »
BAE Systems to aid Australia nuclear powered submarines effort
Officials from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have indicated defense, aerospace, and security company BAE Systems will play a key role in helping Australia acquire its first nuclear-powered submarines. The trilateral agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the... Read More »
CDC, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry begin next phase of Assessment of Chemical Exposure related to East Palestine, Ohio train derailment
The fallout and investigation of the events surrounding a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last month continue, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) recently announced preparations are underway for the next... Read More »
President’s 2024 National Nuclear Security Administration Budget seeks $23.8B
For a mix of modernization and strengthening efforts of the agency’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, President Joe Biden submitted his National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) 2024 budget request this week. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), $23.8 billion is being sought... Read More »
Air Force’s nearly $260B budget request targets modernization, transformation
Air Force officials have indicated the service branch's $259.3 billion budget request would focus on modernization while addressing training, readiness, and new technology. The funding proposal includes $215.1 billion for the Air Force and $30 billion for the Space Force. If enacted into law as... Read More »
Legislation would close loophole in criminal deportation law
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), James Lankford (R-OK), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) reintroduced the Reverse Entry for Migrant Offenders and Violence Expulsion (REMOVE) Act, which closes a loophole presently enabling noncitizens convicted of violent crimes to remain in the United... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee introduces bills targeting Chinese influence
Republicans leading the House Committee on Homeland Security recently introduced several bills to target perceived Chinese influence, funding of Chinese entities, or utilization of Chinese drones. Following a hearing last week titled, Confronting Threats Posed by the Chinese Communist Party to... Read More »
Bipartisan Eliminating Backlogs Act seeks to revamp legal immigration system, target visa backlogs
U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) introduced the Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023 to continue overhauling the U.S. immigration system. The bill seeks to quickly break through growing piles of work visas, granting more flexibility for the use of existing visas... Read More »
Measure bolsters oil, gas pipeline sabotage penalties
Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) recently introduced legislation that seeks to stiffen penalties for those who sabotage oil and gas pipelines, placing human lives and community safety at risk. “Pipelines continue to be the safest way to transport oil and gas across our nation,” Bost said. “But under... Read More »
Annual U.S. Intelligence Community Threat Assessment finds foreign adversaries unlikely origins of Havana Syndrome
In the 2023 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), released last week, the U.S. Intelligence community made Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs) – formerly and more popularly known as the Havana Syndrome – a primary focus, laying out the case that foreign adversaries are not likely behind the... Read More »
Measure updates sections of federal firearms licensees
A Democratic group of legislators is touting legislation that would update sections in the U.S. Code directed at federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that are not updated in 30 years. U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Robin L. Kelly (D-IL) joined U.S. Reps. David Cicilline (D-RI), Barbara Lee... Read More »
Republican legislators eye punishments abroad following FBI, DOE determinations of COVID-19 lab leak origins
Moving quickly in the wake of new determinations about the potential origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) last week introduced legislation to punish foreign countries found to conduct chemical and biological experiments that threaten public health and global security.... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee convenes hearing on risks, opportunities of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gotten a lot of attention recently, particularly in tech circles, but this week the government turned its eye to machine potential as well through a hearing on its possible risks and opportunities by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs... Read More »
Bill targets broadband infrastructure protections
U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) has introduced the Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act (H.R.1354), which he indicated would combat the influence of foreign-made devices on the nation’s high-speed internet framework. “As we continue to expand broadband internet into rural... Read More »
HHS releases cybersecurity implementation guide for public, private health systems
Hoping to address vulnerabilities in health systems throughout the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new cybersecurity implementation framework this week with specific steps for public and private healthcare organizations to pursue. “Cyber incidents... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Thune, Warner introduce bill to create risk-based process of identifying threats from foreign tech like TikTok
Pushing to crack down on technology from foreign adversaries of the United States, the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act was introduced this week in the Senate. A product of U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Mark... Read More »
DHS releases $20M funding opportunity to help local communities prevent targeted violence, terrorism
Through the Fiscal Year 2023 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week that it will fund $20 million for projects to prevent violence and terrorism at the state, local, Tribal and territorial levels. The... Read More »
Legislation seeks to strengthen support for human trafficking victims
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), and John Cornyn (R-TX) recently introduced a bill that seeks to enhance the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ability to combat human trafficking. The Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma (IMPACTT)... Read More »
Measure extends federal support for local fire departments
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently introduced legislation that seeks to aid local fire departments with staffing, equipment, training, and emergency medical services improvement needs. Specifically, the Fire Grants and... Read More »
Federal legislation reintroduced to modernize FCC satellite rules, spur investment
Two bills first introduced in the 117th Congress were revived this week by House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) in a push to modernize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) satellite licensing rules. The Satellite and... Read More »
Measure seeks first responder stress disorders aid
Lawmakers are commending Senate approval of a measure they said seeks to aid first responders in coping with the stresses of responding to crisis situations. U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) joined eight colleagues in co-sponsoring the Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress... Read More »
Re-introduction of ESCAPE Act by Sen. Barrasso seeks to provide allies with American energy, penalize Russian pipelines
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine stretches onward, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) sought a new means of hitting the former through its economy, reintroducing the Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe (ESCAPE) Act (S.548) last week. ESCAPE seeks to pull North Atlantic... Read More »
Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act seeks amendment of U.S. code to penalize those who defraud veterans
Looking to increase protections for veterans and their earned benefits, United States Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), along with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), introduced the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act (H.R.1179) last week. “It takes real heartlessness to... Read More »
CBP details Bridge of the Americas LEP project
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are espousing the benefits of initiating Low Energy Portal (LEP) scanning systems at the El Paso, Texas, Bridge of the Americas international crossing. “The LEP system will scan arriving traffic, and the imagery generated will be used by CBP to... Read More »
White House releases National Cybersecurity Strategy to reimagine U.S. approach to digital ecosystem
Pledging to coordinate all tools at its disposal to protect national security, public safety, and the economy, the Biden administration revealed a new National Cybersecurity Strategy this week and proposed a rethink on how the United States tackles the digital sphere and its security. The... Read More »
Measure seeks to enhance tribal law enforcement, address MMIW crisis
U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) recently introduced legislation to bolster tribal law enforcement and increase Indian Country public safety. Specifically, the Bridging Agency Data Gaps & Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act would... Read More »
Sens. Tester, Collins urge preventive air space violations action
U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have forwarded correspondence to President Joe Biden, requesting that he take action to prevent future violations of U.S. airspace. The letter stems from the circumstances surrounding a Chinese spy balloon initially publicly reported in... Read More »
Bipartisan House Energy and Commerce Committee effort pushes for info in advance of pandemic legislation reauthorization
With a reauthorization due date of Sept. 30, 2023, for the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), two House Energy and Commerce Committee members sought this week to get ahead of the issue with a request for information from public and private interests. “Throughout COVID-19, our... Read More »Bill seeks to bolster law enforcement recruitment efforts
U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently reintroduced legislation seeking to aid in addressing law enforcement workforce challenges while bolstering recruitment initiatives. The Recruit and Retain Act would increase officer... Read More »
House Republicans form Northern Border Security Caucus to advocate greater scrutiny of U.S.-Canadian border
While much attention is paid to the surge of crossings and smuggling at the United States-Mexico border, a coalition of 28 Republicans formed the Northern Border Security Caucus this week to advocate for greater safety at the U.S.-Canada border as well. While the U.S.-Canada border is the... Read More »
President Biden signs waiver focusing on defense industrial base, supply chain resilience
The Defense Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) Office is touting President Joe Biden's recent signing of a waiver focusing on defense industrial base and supply chain resilience. The action addresses some statutory requirements authorizing the Defense... Read More »