Policy
DHS S&T releases interactive training tool for explosive detection canine teams
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently initiated a new interactive training tool for handlers and trainers of explosive detection canines. The effort would upgrade Person-Borne Explosives Detection (PBED) capabilities. PBED canines must... Read More »
CISA seeking cyber incident reporting requirements feedback
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is soliciting public input regarding new cyber incident reporting requirements. Authorities indicated a Request for Information (RFI) would provide the public with 60 days to provide written submissions detailing feedback on the Cyber... Read More »
Financial intermediary fund for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response launches with WHO, World Bank support
Looking to get ahead of future health concerns, a new financial intermediary fund (FIF) was officially launched last week by the FIF Governing Board, which was recently created with support from G20 members and other nations, along with a positive vote from the World Bank Board of... Read More »
Bill seeks to offer drone threat protections
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a measure on Sept. 7 he said seeks to protect communities from drone threats. The Stopping Harmful Incidents to Enforce Lawful Drone Use (SHIELD-U) Act, S. 4801, authorizes counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) activities on and off commercial... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Cantwell, Wicker, Baldwin unveil reauthorization legislation for Coast Guard
New legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) last week – the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 – would reauthorize the Coast Guard service throughout fiscal years 2022 and 2023. “The Coast Guard keeps our maritime... Read More »
DHS hiring initiative eyes bolstered CX, service delivery
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials are espousing the benefits of a new hiring initiative they said seeks to transform the customer experience (CX) while enhancing service delivery. "I have made it one of our Department's top priorities to modernize our delivery of services by... Read More »
More than 30 U.S. senators support greater funding for rural communications networks
A funding package known as the Secure & Trusted Communications Networks Act’s Reimbursement Program is nearly $3 billion short – and last week, dozens of U.S. senators wrote to Congressional leaders pushing to close that funding gap for the sake of the nation’s wireless... Read More »
Rep. Thompson addresses gun violence prevention, ghost gun impact
House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) this week joined Santa Rosa, California, officials in advocating gun violence prevention efforts while also highlighting ghost gun impacts. Thompson and Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan, Santa Rosa Councilmember Natalie... Read More »
Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council charts new territory for federal-tribal relations
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formed a unique new advisory body this week in the form of the Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council, a first-ever means for tribal leaders to advise the department on homeland security policies that affect indigenous... Read More »
Sen. Portman expresses concerns regarding Afghan evacuee vetting
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) expressed concerns this week after a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report detailed insufficient vetting procedures for Afghan evacuees arriving domestically. The lawmaker noted the DHS OIG report followed a Department of... Read More »
Reps. Thompson, Calvert advocate wildfire fighting support, resources
U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA) have joined 25 congressional colleagues in advocating additional support for combating wildfires and ensuring communities have resources to suppress wildfires. Thompson and Calvert recently spearheaded the effort to forward correspondence... Read More »
AmerisourceBergen wins nearly $20M HHS contract to improve deliveries of monkeypox vaccines, treatments
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded AmerisourceBergen a $19.8 million contract to improve the delivery of monkeypox vaccines and treatments. AmerisourceBergen was specifically tasked with expanding distribution capacity and weekly shipments. The company will... Read More »
DHS recommends assessments, deployment of protective equipment or shelters to shield National Public Warning System
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a report this week entitled Electromagnetic Pulse Shielding Mitigations, which laid out a series of recommendations to best protect the National Public Warning System from the threat of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). EMPs can be man-made for... Read More »
Rep. Johnson introduces legislation addressing TikTok domestic data, device access
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) introduced this week legislation that seeks to prohibit TikTok from accessing domestic citizens’ user data from within China and block TikTok installation on government devices. The Block the Tok Act also directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate an... Read More »
CBP initiates Virtual Career Expo
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are espousing the benefits of the Fall 2022 Virtual Career Expo, which will help the agency recruit law enforcement professionals. The Sept. 13 event stems from the CBP seeking entry-level and experienced law enforcement personnel interested in a... Read More »
Republican senators deride sanctuary policies, U.S. Marshals Service immigration proposal
In a letter to the Director of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) last week, a dozen Republican senators critiqued an alleged policy proposal that conservative media said would cause illegal immigrants to be released into the United States before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could arrest... Read More »
CBP details cocaine seizures at Laredo Port of Entry
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at Laredo Port of Entry recently detailed a series of cocaine seizures. “Within a four-day span, our frontline CBP officers at Laredo Port of Entry seized a total of three significant loads of cocaine in the cargo... Read More »
Pennsylvania to invest $185M into new law enforcement, community safety programs
An announcement from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf last week revealed that $185 million in state funding would go toward two new programs to improve community safety, both through support for local law enforcement and county district attorneys’ offices. The governor’s final capstone budget... Read More »
FEMA, Ad Council focus on disaster preparedness in Black communities with newest PSAs
Create a lasting legacy – that is the message from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ad Council’s latest accessibility and preparedness PSA campaign, which will focus on the Black and African American communities nationwide. “Black and African American communities... Read More »
DoD outlines domestic clothing, textile industrial base pact
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is detailing a shared $6.8 million agreement with Burlington Industries, LLC, which will sustain and strengthen the domestic clothing and textile industrial base. The agreement extends through September 2027 and calls for Burlington Industries to invest in... Read More »
House lawmakers seek improved intelligence analysis of foreign military will to fight
A year on, the United States is still learning lessons from its withdrawal from Afghanistan, and U.S. Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO) and Peter Meijer (R-MI) this week introduced the Will to Fight Act to guarantee foreign national resolve is on the list for study. “As an Army Ranger in Iraq and... Read More »
Boeing secures $5B Missile Defense Agency contract
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded Boeing a $5 billion Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) System Integration, Test and Readiness (SITR) contract. “Boeing’s proposal offered decades of experience in weapon systems integration, anchored by the unique expertise of our people,”... Read More »
DARPA initiative eyes scientist, engineer recruitment
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently unveiled a new initiative to recruit early career scientists and engineers. The DARPA Innovation Fellowship Program is slated to select fellows to develop and manage a portfolio of high-impact, exploratory research efforts to... Read More »
Federal funds to aid three Oregon fire districts
U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) are espousing the benefits of three Oregon fire districts receiving a combined nearly $100,000 in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). The City of Coos Bay would receive an allotment of $32,380, while Siletz Rural Fire Protection... Read More »
FEMA launches $50M loan fund to reduce natural hazard, climate change vulnerabilities at state, local levels
Under the direction of the Biden administration and drawing on funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will create a $50 million Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund program to bolster state and local government efforts to fight natural... Read More »
Reps. Sarbanes, Pappas join colleagues in expressing concerns with Turkey’s missile defense systems, F-16
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, indicating concerns about Turkey reportedly considering acquiring Russian S-400 missile defense systems. U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes (D-MD) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) joined 18 colleagues in also restating... Read More »
Sen. Ernst advocates for prevention of southern border terrorist flow
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) has forwarded correspondence to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, urging DHS action regarding reported increased southern border terrorist apprehensions. “Recent reports have shown an increase of terrorist apprehensions in recent... Read More »
DoD initiates pilot program for the manufacturing of commercial, military technology
The U.S. Department of Defense's Industrial Base Policy Office recently launched a manufacturing pilot program with the Austin Center for Manufacturing and Innovation (ACMI) in Austin, Texas. The Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Program initiative is slated to focus on advanced... Read More »
Raytheon Missiles & Defense wins $182M U.S. Army contract to supply mid-range air defense to Ukraine
As the war between Ukraine and Russia enters into its sixth month, the U.S. Army is still finding new ways to help its eastern European ally, and as of last week, that support took the form of a $182 million contract with Raytheon Missiles & Defense. The company, formed through a combination of... Read More »
Caucus targets civilian harm prevention, response efforts
U.S. Reps. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) recently formed a congressional caucus that seeks to prevent, reduce and offer a response to civilian harm resulting from U.S. and partners’ operations. The action stems from the... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Rounds introduces bill to pay for school safety with redirected renewable energy funds
In an effort to improve school safety at the state and local levels, United States Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) last week introduced the Security to Avoid Violence in Educational Settings (SAVES) Act, which would create a new federal grant program. The Department of Justice would be in charge of a... Read More »
CISA offers post-quantum cryptography roadmap
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released Preparing Critical Infrastructure for Post-Quantum Cryptography, a guide which provides critical infrastructure and government network owners with essential updates. The analysis also provides operators with an overview of... Read More »
Lawmakers say ease of access to radiological material requires immediate action by NRC
Leaders from the House Committees on Energy & Commerce and Homeland Security joined forces in a letter this week to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), pressing for urgent action to close vulnerabilities in the oversight of radiological material purchases. Spurring the letter was a covert... Read More »Sens. Rubio, Hagerty express concerns regarding DHS, State Department determination allowing “terrorist-linked” individuals to enter U.S.
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) have joined eight colleagues in expressing concerns regarding a recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State determination that "terrorist-linked" individuals are no longer barred from entering the United States. The... Read More »