Policy
Customs and Border Protection appoints Roque Caza port director for Calexico
The Calexico Port of Entry gained a new port director this week, with the United States Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) appointment of Roque Caza, previously the director of the CBP Counter Network Division (CND). Calexico is the third busiest of six land border crossings under the... Read More »
Whistleblowers prompt questions over COVID-19 vaccine mislabeling, unauthorized manufacturing
In a letter to leadership at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) revealed nine whistleblowers had disclosed concerns of mislabeling and unauthorized manufacturing of... Read More »
DARPA seeks to bolster microelectronics manufacturing
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking proposals to enhance microelectronics manufacturing efforts. DARPA’s Next-Generation Microelectronics Manufacturing (NGMM) seeks to create a new, domestic-based center for research and development and 3DHI microsystems... Read More »
Rep. Maloney introduces legislation seeking gun manufacturer accountability
U.S. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) recently introduced two pieces of legislation to combat gun violence by establishing gun manufacturer accountability. The Firearm Industry Fairness Act would tax firearm manufacturers producing semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines at a rate of 20... Read More »
DHS, national law enforcement organizations host two-day 2022 Intelligence Summit
At the first summit of its kind in 15 years, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and various national law enforcement organizations gathered in Alexandria, Va., Aug. 17-18, 2022, to network and improve information sharing on national and public security. “In the 20 years since 9/11,... Read More »
TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act signed into law, funding collaborations with mental health experts
With signature from President Joe Biden, the TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act became law last week, authorizing $270 million over five years to continue the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) and to fund a new police training program. The legislation seeks to... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation improving permitting process for national-security manufacturing operations signed into law
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Angus King (I-ME) recently applauded the passage of their legislation (S. 3451) that cuts "bureaucratic red tape" for certain computer-related projects, such as the development of semiconductors, which was signed as Public Law 117-173 on... Read More »
DHS details competitive preparedness grant allocations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has detailed final allocations of $550 million for seven Fiscal Year 2022 competitive preparedness grant programs. “As the threats to the homeland evolve, so too must the grant programs intended to prepare communities for those threats,” DHS... Read More »
GAO: Hospitals face lack of staff, supplies or space to care for patients amid medical surges
During some COVID-19 surges, U.S. hospitals were hampered in terms of staff, supplies, or space to care for patients that exceeded their normal operating capacity, though health care coalitions helped fill some gaps. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a review of eight... Read More »
Group of senators encourage congressional leadership to fund better monkeypox emergency response
With no signs the monkeypox health emergency is set to lessen, a group of 14 U.S. senators wrote to congressional leadership this week in search of additional funding for a public health response in any future legislative package. “Monkeypox is a serious threat to public health, and we need to... Read More »
DHS offers proof-of-concept for vehicular Wildland Urban Interface alert system
The Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS) used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may soon be capable of providing hazard and evacuation alerts directly to vehicles’ infotainment screens. This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology... Read More »
DoD issues first department-wide social media policy
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently released its first department-wide social media policy detailing how DoD military and civilian personnel should use official social media accounts. "It's long overdue," Office of the Secretary of Defense Director of Digital Media Andy Oare said.... Read More »
CBP’s July update shows decreasing encounters on Southwest border
Though border crossing attempts remain high, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported in its July 2022 operational update that encounters at the Southwest border decreased by 4 percent, trending down for two months. In terms of individuals encountered, the figures went up by 1 percent,... Read More »
FBI nationwide sex trafficking operation saves 84 minors, 141 adults from exploitation
In coordination with state and local partners this August, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced successfully identified and located 84 minors victimized by sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, as well as 37 children who had been actively missing. Dubbed Operation Cross... Read More »
FEMA offers more than $3B for two climate resilience grants
Utilizing money from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) put up more than $3 billion in funding last week for two grant programs meant to help communities improve resilience to climate change and extreme weather. “Climate change is... Read More »
Group of lawmakers push Senate leadership to fund monkeypox response in future legislative packages
A collection of 14 U.S. senators wrote to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) last week to request funding for the monkeypox outbreak response be included in any upcoming legislative package. Designated a Public Health Emergency (PHE) earlier... Read More »
Rep. Steil hosts roundtable addressing fight against fentanyl in Wisconsin
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) recently convened a roundtable in Janesville, Wis., to address the fight against fentanyl. The effort focused on Rock County and targeted methods the federal government could aid in keeping Wisconsin communities safe. The session involved leaders from the Rock County... Read More »Bill targeting HBCU cybersecurity job training enacted
Lawmakers and educators are espousing the benefits of the Cybersecurity Opportunity Act's recent enactment, which officials maintain would bolster cybersecurity job training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson... Read More »
Sen. Portman hosts Cincinnati roundtable on overdoses in Ohio and U.S., new CARA funding efforts
Responding to the ongoing American struggle with opioids in general and fentanyl in particular, United States Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) joined the Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition (HC ARC) and other stakeholders in his state to address the larger issue of addiction and overdose. Last... Read More »
Republican senators requesting information on DEA strategy to fight drug networks, cartels and narcotics smuggling
Writing to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgrim this week, a group of Republican senators requested details on the agency’s moves to crack down on illegal narcotics and their suppliers. Citing the ongoing opioid crisis that, as of Feb. 9, 2022, led to more than... Read More »
House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders request federal briefings on network security over Log4j vulnerability
Through letters dispatched to the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Energy, Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have requested briefings on federal network... Read More »
Bill targets permanent Iran sanctions
U.S. Reps. Tim Scott (R-SC), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) have introduced the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act (SISA), which seeks to make the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 permanent. Through SISA, the sanctions regime serves as the nation's best tool to restrain... Read More »
Measure addresses Afghan permanent legal residency
A group of lawmakers have introduced a bill they said seeks to enable Afghans with temporary status, who undergo additional vetting, to apply for permanent legal residency. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Richard... Read More »
Bill provides $30M in additional funding for Justice-run anti-hate crime program
With approval from the House Appropriations Committee, some $30 million has been marked for Justice Department use on the Community-Based Approaches to Advancing Justice Grant Program -- an effort begun just last year to reduce violent hate crimes in communities nationwide. The funding was added... Read More »
Senators seek hearing regarding Federal Reserve Bank Chinese influence
A group of Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) lawmakers are requesting a hearing to address Chinese influence and information theft at Federal Reserve Banks. HSGAC Ranking Member Rob Portman (R-OH) joined Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rand Paul... Read More »
Bill to make simplified application for federal disaster assistance advances to Senate
A bill from United States Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Lankford (R-OK), the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, advanced out of Senate committee last week, putting to the Senate floor the idea of simplifying the application process for federal disaster assistance. “Victims of natural... Read More »
U.S. Senate passes police training bill
A pair of lawmakers are commending Senate passage of a measure enhancing law enforcement training for those interacting with individuals with mental health, behavioral health and substance use issues. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) joined 19 colleagues in co-sponsoring... Read More »
Three bills, three approaches to strengthening DHS up for Senate consideration
A total of three bills authored by United States Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) crossed out of committee and to the floor of the Senate last week, offering potential means of enhancing Department of Homeland Security human and drug trafficking efforts. The bills include the Non-Intrusive Inspection... Read More »
Senate to consider bill to renew, expand federal oversight of drones
The Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Act crossed its first legislative hurdle last week, after it was advanced from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to full Senate consideration. A joint work from U.S. Sens. Gary... Read More »
Senate bill to reauthorize DHS office advances
After a favorable vote from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, a bill that would reauthorize the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) office will face consideration of the full Senate. The Offices of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction and Health Security Act... Read More »
House advances domestic communications networks bill
The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced the Spectrum Innovation Act (H.R. 7624), which would enhance domestic communications networks. U.S. Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), chairman of the House Commerce Communications and Technology... Read More »
White House appoints team to lead federal monkeypox response
As more states and localities declare emergencies over the growing monkeypox outbreak, President Joe Biden this week formed an official White House national monkeypox team from other agencies to guide federal response. Helming the team will be FEMA’s Regional Administrator for the American... Read More »
Bill targets comprehensive southern border strategy
A Republican group of senators recently introduced a bill requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to complete a comprehensive southern border strategy within 12 months of enactment. U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and James... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee leaders request details on federal monkeypox response
In letters dispatched to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), House Homeland Security Committee leaders have pressed for details of the federal government’s preparations for and response to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak. Committee... Read More »