Policy
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 »
Customs and Border Protection December update showed illegal encounters up, but crossings down
In its latest operational update, covering the final month of 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) figures showed a mix of figures, with overall encounters along the border increasing even as unlawful crossings fell and migration patterns shifted overall. Large numbers of people... Read More »
Hugh T. Clements Jr. appointed as Justice Department’s Director of Community Oriented Policing Services
Justice Department officials said Col. Hugh T. Clements Jr. has been appointed as the new Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). “The Department’s COPS Office is central to our efforts to strengthen the public trust between communities and law... Read More »
FBI offers $25,000 rewards for tips on attackers of reproductive health service facilities
Last week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) turned to the public for information on those responsible for a series of threats against and attacks on reproductive health service facilities nationwide – and it put up $25,000 in rewards for that information. In all, 10 incidents were... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Pallone urges Congress to block sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey
Following up on a group letter from July 2022, United States Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) last week called for Congressional action to block any proposed transfer of U.S. F-16 fighter jets and their components to Turkey. Pallone and more than 30 House colleagues had urged the Biden administration... Read More »
Legislation seeks to establish permanent bump stock ban
U.S. Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Dan Kildee (D-MI) recently introduced the Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act, which seeks to ban bump stocks permanently. The bill stems from legal efforts to overturn the present bump stock regulatory ban. When attached to semiautomatic... Read More »
DHS awards $1.1M for seven federal labs researching technology commercialization
The United States Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) split $1.1 million between seven federal laboratories this week for federal research that could benefit Department of Homeland Security (DHS) missions and homeland security stakeholders – and, potentially, find a market. The latter... Read More »
End of year government funding bill included public health measures from PREVENT Pandemics Act
As lawmakers process the passage of the government funding bill at the tail end of December 2022, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) announced that major portions of the Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act (PREVENT Pandemics Act) were included in its... Read More »