Policy
REGENT electric seaglider company forms Defense Advisory Board of four former senior military leaders
As the Rhode Island-based REGENT all-electric seaglider company dives into work for coastal maritime transportation and high-speed logistics, it formed a Defense Advisory Board consisting of four former senior leaders from the U.S. Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The former military brass will be... Read More »
U.S. lawmakers seek to collaborate with Canada to fix NEXUS traveler backlog
In a letter to their Canadian counterparts last week, four U.S. representatives sought to kick off a joint fix for the growing logjam in the NEXUS system, the Trusted Traveler Program for the U.S.-Canadian Border. That system requires travelers to undergo in-person interviews with agents from... Read More »
TSA details Florida gun checkpoint interceptions
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials have indicated Florida air travel passengers have brought a record number of guns to TSA checkpoints. According to the agency, the present number of 700 guns is higher than in any previous year and includes records set at 12 individual... Read More »
House Fire Grants and Safety Act would reauthorize, upgrade local fire departments
Building on companion legislation in the Senate, a new bill introduced into the House last week seeks to boost federal resources for local fire departments throughout the United States and reauthorize existing funds for staffing, equipment, training, and emergency services. The Fire Grants and... Read More »
Coast Guard outlines eligibility standards adjustments
The U.S. Coast Guard is detailing a series of eligibility standards adjustments that seek to enable greater flexibility regarding dependents and single parents, debt-to-income ratios, and maximum age. Earlier this year, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan informed the House of... Read More »
DHS awards $500,000 for targeted violence, domestic terrorism prevention efforts in New York
As announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security awarded $500,000 in federal funds for support, threat assessment, and management of efforts to combat targeted violence and domestic terrorism in New York. "New York... Read More »
DHS S&T awards $1.9M contract to G&H International to help FEMA create standardized community disaster resources
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking to revamp the Community Lifeline Construct program to better standardize and integrate community resources systems, and it’s using a more than $1.9 million contract with G&H International Services, Inc. to achieve it. G&H will design,... Read More »
Sikorsky, DARPA detail successful autonomous Black Hawk flights
Aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Army how uninhabited Black Hawk helicopters flying autonomously performed varied missions. The flights were executed on Oct. 12, 14, and 18 in conjunction with the... Read More »
Report examines healthcare sector cybersecurity threats
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released Thursday a white paper detailing present healthcare sector cybersecurity. The report offers dialogue on a series of policy solutions to improve cybersecurity across the healthcare industry. The white paper, Cybersecurity is Patient Safety, explores... Read More »
CBP details $6.1M narcotics seizure at Laredo Port of Entry in Texas
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have detailed a recent $6.1 million narcotics seizure in separate incidents at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge and World Trade Bridge. “The dedicated employees of CBP continue to fulfill the agency’s border security role,” Laredo Port... Read More »
DoD enlists Xendee to cut energy system costs with optimized microgrid design
The U.S. military, looking for ways to counter the threat of blackouts, announced this week that it tapped microgrid support software provider Xendee to reduce energy system engineering costs with optimized, scalable microgrid designs for its installations. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)... Read More »
Measure seeks to bolster cybersecurity education efforts through $10M pilot program
U.S. Reps. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA) and Jim Langevin (D-RI) have reintroduced legislation to form a $10 million Department of Education pilot program to strengthen cybersecurity education initiatives. Specifically, the Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act would award competitive grants to... Read More »
ICF secures pact to bolster Immigration and Customs Enforcement technology initiatives
Global consulting and digital services provider ICF has secured a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to enhance Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) technology. "For over 20 years, ICF has been a trusted partner to DHS,... Read More »
Senators urge Justice Department, ATF to clarify, implement ghost guns rule
Responding to attempts by companies to avoid restrictions imposed by the federal Ghost Gun Rule, more than a dozen Democratic senators this week wrote to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to address the matter and crackdown.... Read More »
Rep. Graves commends enactment of SPEED Recovery Act
U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) is commending the enactment of the Small Project Efficient and Effective Disaster (SPEED) Recovery Act (H.R. 5641), which seeks to expedite disaster recovery initiatives. “This is big news for Louisiana," said Graves, who supported the legislation. "Our bill that... Read More »
Legislation targets ATM thefts, robberies
U.S. Reps. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and John Rose (R-TN) recently introduced legislation to address efforts to combat crimes involving ATMs that include theft, robbery, and assault. The Safe Access to Cash Act (H.R. 9248) would strengthen enforcement mechanisms to deter criminals and protect... Read More »
Biden administration doles out more than $1.56B to Florida for Hurricane Ian recovery
In the month since the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners have provided more than $1.56 billion to Florida through a mix of grants, disaster loans, and flood insurance payments. Of those funds, more than $661 million were... Read More »
U.S. Transportation Department to award $32.4M in grants for six hazardous materials safety efforts
Drawing from 81 separate grants, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced last week that it will award $32.4 million to states, territories, and tribes for hazardous materials safety programs. Despite a large number of... Read More »
Homeland Security Department details Cybersecurity Performance Goals business, critical infrastructure benefits
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) to aid businesses and critical infrastructure owners in considering measures to protect against cyber threats. “Organizations across the country increasingly understand that cybersecurity... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Peters, CISA Director Easterly and Michigan CIO Clark talk cybersecurity collaboration
In a fireside event moderated by the State of Michigan’s Chief Information Officer Laura Clark at the annual Michigan Cyber Summit, guests U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly discussed intergovernmental collaborations... Read More »
California touts efficacy of earthquake early warning system during recent Bay Area quake
California state officials are touting the benefits of its Earthquake Early Warning System, noting it provided over 2.2 million residents with advanced notification prior to a recent episode. “California continues to harness the power of science and technology to help keep our communities... Read More »
Justice Department details Honeywell agreement to pay $3.35M following False Claims Act violation allegation
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently detailed Honeywell International Inc.'s agreement to pay $3.35 million to resolve allegations it violated the False Claims Act by selling defective material. The DOJ alleged between 2000 and 2005, Honeywell sold its patented Z Shield material to... Read More »
Drug Enforcement Administration tout results from recent Violent Crime Initiative
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently touted the benefits of the agency's Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), noting the endeavor recently resulted in criminal charges against 42 defendants for various offenses. The charges, involving racketeering, violence, narcotics distribution,... Read More »
Coast Guard set to maintain Harmonized Waterway database for free public access
A database of national waterways known as the Harmonized Waterway project will soon be hosted and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, offering free access to the public for navigation, study, and monitoring. The Marine Safety Information (MSI) previously required referencing the National Oceanic... Read More »
Electric vehicle industry highlights need to accelerate critical infrastructure deployment
At the Cybersecurity Executive Forum on Electric Vehicles and Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure this week, government and industry leaders held high-level discussions on the state of vehicular cybersecurity, how to proceed, and, importantly, stressed desires for a quicker rollout of critical... Read More »
Justice Department charges 13 for allegedly working with China to exert influence in U.S.
Across three cases, the United States Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern District of New York and the District of New Jersey charged 13 individuals with conspiracy, obstruction, and attempts to aid the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in exerting influence in-country. According to unsealed... Read More »
Sens. Portman, Klobuchar urge Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act implementation
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently forwarded correspondence to the Biden administration, encouraging the implementation of the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention (STOP Act) to address increased illegal opioids entering the country. The senators... Read More »
PAWS Act signed into law, bringing greater attention to animals during natural disasters
In the wake of the passage of his Planning for Animal Wellness (PAW) Act earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) toured the American Red Cross at its Lansing, Mich., chapter this week to highlight community efforts to help them – and their pets – recover from natural... Read More »
Lockheed Martin, Red Hat tout military mission AI initiatives
Aerospace company Lockheed Martin and software firm Red Hat personnel have detailed a collaboration they said seeks to advance artificial intelligence (AI) innovation regarding military missions. Red Hat Device Edge would enable Lockheed Martin to support national security missions by applying... Read More »
New York State, New York City announce police and mental health efforts to address transit crime
A series of expanded initiatives for the New York City subways were announced last week as part of a joint effort between the State of New York and New York City to crack down on transit crime through traditional law enforcement means and community psychiatric care. This will equate to a massive... Read More »
Latest Border Protection figures show rising would-be immigrant encounters, but from changing points of origin
The September operational statistics from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveal a dramatically changing landscape, showcasing significantly increased migrant encounters. Individual encounters reached 182,704 in September, a 15 percent increase over the previous month. Only 55,068... Read More »
Reps. Gottheimer, Rutherford advocate for Senate vote on Invest to Protect Act
In the wake of the House of Representatives advancing the Invest to Protect Act, U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and John Rutherford (R-FL) are urging a Senate vote on the measure. The legislators recently forwarded correspondence to Senate leadership urging them to bring their bill to the... Read More »
DHS outlines 18-month Ethiopia TPS designation
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an 18-month designation for Ethiopia's Temporary Protected Status (TPS). DHS has stipulated only individuals already residing in the United States as of Oct. 20, 2022, would be TPS eligible. “The United States recognizes the ongoing... Read More »
More than two dozen House members push for details, and change, surrounding U.S. gun tracing backlog
A collection of 25 House members wrote to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Director Steve Dettelbach asking for details on the agency’s gun tracing backlog and stating that a gun lobby-backed 1986 law needs to change. Led by U.S. Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV) and Bill Pascrell, Jr.... Read More »