Policy
U.S. re-emphasizes commitment to Ukraine with $3B new military package
Through the largest presidential drawdown authority committed to date, the Biden administration greenlit $2.85 billion in military equipment to benefit the Ukrainian military’s defense against the ongoing Russian invasion, along with $225 million in additional foreign military financing. "The... Read More »
DHS prepares for return to processing noncitizens under Title 8, despite public health order hangups
Currently, immigration to the United States is still bound by the requirements of the Title 42 public health order enacted in March 2020, but while the legality of this remains bound up in court, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated this week that it is preparing for a return to Title 8... Read More »
National Institutes of Health touts Home Test to Treat program
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is touting the new Home Test to Treat program, a virtual community health intervention that provides free COVID-19 health services and treatments in selected communities. “At-home testing for COVID-19 is now widely available in the United States, as are... Read More »
DEA details Louisville Division fentanyl seizures
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said that, last year, the Louisville Division yielded the seizure of 184,382 fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and 316 pounds of Fentanyl powder. “Fentanyl is a national problem, and it’s landed right on our doorstep,” DEA Louisville... Read More »
USCIS proposes immigration, naturalization fees adjustment
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is considering a proposed fee rule adjusting certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. “In addition to improving customer service operations and managing the incoming workload, USCIS must continue to fulfill our growing... Read More »
South Texas CBP officers note major uptick of illegal immigrants encountered and cocaine seized
Last year brought serious increases in encounters along south Texas ports of entry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, who reported 10,243 pounds of cocaine seized and 57,732 non-U.S. citizens encountered in violation of immigration laws. The figures spanned the... Read More »
Oshkosh Defense secures $102M Joint Light Tactical Vehicles order
The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal has placed a $102 million order with Oshkosh Defense for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) to be delivered to international U.S. allies. The JLTVs, known for their mobility, protection, reliability, and interoperability as a Light... Read More »
Justice Department launches civil lawsuit against AmerisourceBergen, subsidiaries for violations of Controlled Substances Act
In a civil complaint filed last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a nationwide lawsuit against AmerisourceBergen Corp. and two of its subsidiaries, which together form one of the largest pharmaceutical distributors, for violating federal law on the distribution of controlled... Read More »
Countering Human Trafficking Act becomes law, growing federal efforts against trafficking and forced labor-made goods
President Joe Biden signed the Counter Human Trafficking Act of 2022 as one of the final legislative acts of the year, officially codifying and expanding the United States Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT). With this update came $14 million... Read More »
CDC sticks COVID-19 test requirements on air passengers from China
Even as China reopens itself to travel following years of heavy restriction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its citizens face a new roadblock from entry to the United States: a demand for negative COVID-19 tests for any flier. The restriction was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and... Read More »
President Biden signs Consolidated Appropriations Act, including many health care provisions, following House passage
President Joe Biden signed Thursday a critical omnibus into law, setting up the Congressionally approved Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2617) to fund the government and, importantly, numerous health care and consumer protection efforts. “As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee,... Read More »
Lawmakers tout Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act enactment
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) recently applauded their Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act, which aids disaster mitigation projects, being signed into law. Specifically, the legislation makes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index (NRI)... Read More »
Quantum Computer Cybersecurity Preparedness Act encourages proactive federal cybersecurity
The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act became law this week in the United States, establishing a series of new priorities and requirements for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to guide federal cybersecurity to post-quantum cryptography. Specifically, the legislation–... Read More »
Resolution targets illicit trade, money laundering
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said his resolution encouraging Congress to combat international criminal organizations, illicit trade, and the use of trade-based money laundering (TBML) has garnered Senate approval. Cassidy was joined by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)... Read More »
HHS expands Tamiflu access for flu season
With flu season in full swing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week that additional supplies of Tamiflu would be tapped to meet increased demand. Jurisdictions will manage any Tamiflu requests through the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in collaboration... Read More »
PEACE Act represents bicameral push to reform federal police standards for use of lethal force
Particularly in the last few years, across several high-profile cases, police in the United States have come under heavy scrutiny for their use of force, and recently, a bill known as the PEACE Act was introduced to reform federal standards permitting the use of lethal force. Released as a... Read More »
PFAS Act signed into law, mandating new efforts to protect firefighters from forever chemicals
With a signature from President Joe Biden, the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act became law this week, officially directing federal agencies to create new best practices, training, and educational programs to limit and shield firefighters from exposure to hazardous... Read More »
DEA details nearly 51 million fentanyl seizures in past calendar year, according to report
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials have detailed the seizure of more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and over 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder this calendar year. “In the past year, the men and women of the DEA have relentlessly worked to seize over 379... Read More »
FEMA outlines community resilience program funding opportunity
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin accepting applications for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) on Feb. 1, 2023. The RILF seeks to foster greater community resilience while reducing disaster vulnerability and suffering, noting the Bipartisan... Read More »
Measure advocates law enforcement DNA analysis
U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) has introduced a bill she said seeks to deploy advanced forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis as a means of aiding law enforcement in solving cases. The Carla Walker Act of 2022 authorizes the Justice Department to issue grants to state, local, and tribal... Read More »
Sen. Peters lauds reauthorization of Nonprofit Security Grant Program
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) is touting the $360 million reauthorization of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which bolsters religious institution security initiatives. Peters supported a National Defense Authorization Act provision... Read More »
New York legislation targets violent crimes against police officers
New York state officials are touting a newly enacted measure that addresses violent crimes against police officers. Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed S.772A/A.6318B to establish a Blue Alert system aiding the identification, location, and apprehension of individuals suspected of killing or... Read More »
Coast Guard, MARAD reauthorization head for President Biden’s signature under FY 2023 NDAA
After being worked into the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Reauthorization Act, and several oceans provisions are slated to be signed into law by President Joe Biden. As part of the larger... Read More »
Bill targets Latin America, Caribbean gun trafficking
U.S. Reps. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Norma Torres (D-CA), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) recently introduced legislation to address Latin America and Caribbean gun trafficking. The Americas Regional Monitoring... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Portman praise House passage of human trafficking legislation
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) are praising the House of Representatives' passage of their legislation to bolster efforts to combat human trafficking. The Countering Human Trafficking Act, which passed the Senate in April and now moves to President Joe Biden to be signed... Read More »
Bicameral legislation pushes for reduction in Pentagon spending, repeal of unfunded priorities list
In a rare flex against the military for the United States, a bipartisan mix of senators and representatives have introduced the Streamline Pentagon Budgeting Act, which would repeal statutory requirements to provide unfunded priorities lists, increase oversight and reduce wasteful reporting... Read More »
Lobbying Disclosure Improvement push to increase foreign influence scrutiny advanced by Senate
The Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act (S.B. 4893), introduced by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), passed through the Senate by unanimous vote last week, bolstering efforts to increase oversight of foreign lobbying to the House. “Foreign influence in our nation’s... Read More »
North Carolina fire department orders all-electric fire truck
The Charlotte, N.C., Fire Department recently announced that it has ordered an all-electric Vector fire truck, expected to be the first-of-its-kind operating in the state. The order was placed with fire apparatus manufacturer Spartan Emergency Response, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. “We... Read More »
DHS touts customer experience improvements
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials are espousing the benefits of a series of initiatives the agency said has resulted in customer experience improvements. “Through the talent and dedication of the Department’s employees, we have made significant progress modernizing our delivery... Read More »
NIH identifies new funding in support of Valley Fever vaccine research, development
Following up on a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Notice of Special Interest from November that sought support for research into a Valley Fever vaccine, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently announced that additional funding avenues have been... Read More »
Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act heads to President Biden to become law
The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act (H.R.7535) crossed its final legislative hurdle this week after a positive vote in the United States House, setting up its provisions for enhancing national cybersecurity to be signed into law by President Joe Biden. The bill was introduced in... Read More »
Agricultural Foreign Investment Transparency Act seeks increased scrutiny of foreign owners of U.S. agricultural land
Through the introduction of the Agricultural Foreign Investment Transparency Act to the House this week, U.S. Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Rick Crawford (R-AR), along with nine other Republicans, seek to increase oversight of foreign purchases of U.S. agricultural land. To do otherwise, they... Read More »
FBI releases 2021 hate crime statistics through Uniform Crime Reporting Program
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), through its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, has released 2021 hate crime statistics. The data was submitted by 11,834 law enforcement agencies providing information about offenses, victims, offenders, and hate crime locations. According to... Read More »
DHS, DOL outline additional H-2B Visa availability
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) officials noted the agencies are issuing a temporary final rulemaking 64,716 additional H-2B nonagricultural worker visas available. The action applies to temporary nonagricultural workers for fiscal year (FY) 2023. The... Read More »