Policy
MINES Act seeks increased scrutiny of Chinese, Russian mineral acquisition worldwide
In his introduction of the Monitoring and Investigating Nations Exploiting States (MINES) Act (H.R. 8911) this week, U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) emphasized a need to maintain and monitor access to minerals critical to the national economy or security, no matter their origin. Earlier this year,... Read More »
Hurricane Fiona leads to Public Health Emergency in Puerto Rico
After the Category 1 Hurricane Fiona slammed Puerto Rico, the devastation led to President Joe Biden declaring a disaster across the island this week, followed shortly by a Public Health Emergency from Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra due to flooding. Even as Federal Emergency... Read More »
Bill seeks to clarify, strengthen violent crime laws
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a bill that seeks to clarify and strengthen violent crime laws involving homicide, bank robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and other offenses. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) recently joined U.S. Reps. Ken Buck (R-CO), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Scott Fitzgerald... Read More »
Rep. Higgins advocates elimination of U.S.-Canada border restrictions
U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins is calling on the United States to end COVID-related restrictions at the U.S. border with Canada. Higgins, co-chair of the Canada-US Interparliamentary Group and the Congressional Northern Border Caucus, forwarded correspondence to Department of Homeland Security (DHS)... Read More »
Redacted Senate Intelligence Committee report highlights China, Russia and more as foreign intelligence threats
A new Senate Intelligence Committee report built on two years of research identified numerous threats to American security and called for reforms. Redacted and released by Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) and Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL), the bipartisan report concluded, among other things, that... Read More »
Bill ensures DHS S&T funds back domestically-produced inventions
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) recently introduced the Invent Here, Make Here for Homeland Security Act, which ensures Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) funds support inventions produced in the United States. The legislation... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Grassley target lobbyists, foreign influence on U.S. policy in latest legislation
Worried about undisclosed foreign influence on United States policy, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act this week to crack down on lobbyist and political party exploitation of a Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA)... Read More »
DHS deploys Ford Mustang Mach-E battery electric vehicle for law enforcement
With the debut this week of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shook up the law enforcement sector with a first-of-its-kind electric vehicle (EV). The vehicle, fitted to tackle the particular challenges of law enforcement, also made DHS the first federal... Read More »
Legislation targets increased support for local fire departments
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) recently introduced the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which seeks to bolster nationwide federal support for local fire departments. Specifically, the legislation reauthorizes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant programs local fire... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Menendez, Hagerty push Congressional oversight of North Korea
With much of the world’s attention turned to Russia and its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) introduced the North Korea Policy Act of 2022 last week in order to return greater scrutiny to North Korea. A bipartisan effort, the bill would... Read More »
Bill seeks to improve information sharing for missing persons on federal lands
U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Tim Burchett (R-TN) introduced a bill they said seeks to improve information-sharing efforts for missing persons on federal lands. The Tracking and Reporting Absent Community-members Everywhere (TRACE) Act would enhance information sharing efforts by making a... Read More »
Pekoske receives second TSA Administrator confirmation
The Senate has confirmed David Pekoske for a second term as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator, a role in which he will continue federal responsibility for domestic surface transportation security. President Joe Biden nominated Pekoske for a second term in May 2022,... Read More »
New Senate effort focuses on reauthorizing Project Safe Neighborhoods grant program
The Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program could gain new life if an effort newly introduced to the Senate gains traction. Under S. 4859, reauthorization would be granted to legislation last passed in 2018 and for other purposes. A nationwide law enforcement program, the Project Safe... Read More »
Justice Department initiates nationwide effort to combat acts of hate
U.S. Department of Justice officials are espousing the benefits of a new nationwide initiative to combat unlawful acts of hate. The United Against Hate program is convening local forums connecting community groups to federal, state, and local law enforcement to expand community understanding and... Read More »
Sens. Lankford, Inhofe introduce SOIL Act to increase oversight of agricultural land
In response to recent purchases by foreign entities that spooked locals in Oklahoma, U.S. Sens. James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) introduced a bill this week to increase oversight and transparency of purchases of U.S. agricultural land. The Security and Oversight of International... Read More »
Bill offers Russian Federation terrorism sponsor designation
U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced the Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act, which designates the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST). “Putin has crossed every line of civilized norms during the war in Ukraine and years... Read More »
Senate advances Coast Guard Authorization Act
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has advanced the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Subcommittee on Oceans Chair Tammy Baldwin... Read More »
Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act pledges to protect FEMA reservists’ jobs
With approval from Congress, the Civilian Reservist Emergency Act headed for President Joe Biden’s desk for a final signature this week, granting new protections for reservists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from losing their full-time employment when called to... Read More »
Rep. Harshbarger introduces Protecting Our Homeland from Chinese Espionage Act in direct rebuke of China
While tensions between the United States and China have grown over the years, U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) introduced the Protecting Our Homeland from Chinese Espionage Act this week. As proposed, the bill would require companies bidding for any Department of Homeland Security (DHS)... Read More »
Bill targets bolstered wildfire protections
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) recently introduced the Community Wildfire Protection Act to enable greater wildfire protections. “Climate change is putting more and more communities in the path of deadly wildfires,” Feinstein said. “Unfortunately, a more than... Read More »
Sen. Murphy requests details on DOJ, ATF implementation of Bipartisan Safer Communities Act provisions
Following up on the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act back in June, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) this week wrote the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requesting updates on how the law had been implemented. That legislation had... Read More »
DHS, DOJ detail human smuggling operation disruption, dismantling
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently detailed the disruption and dismantling of a human smuggling operation in Texas and across the southern United States. Authorities indicated the operation in conjunction with Joint Task Force Alpha... Read More »
Newly introduced Military Stockpiles Act would give DoD new abilities to refill stockpiles depleted by aid offers
With the introduction of the Securing American Acquisitions, Readiness and Military Stockpiles Act (S.B. 4805) this week, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) hope to enhance the military’s capabilities to refill stockpiles after they have been tapped for aid to American... Read More »
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 »