Policy
IPR Center, global partners seize $11M in illicit medicines
National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) authorities recently detailed collaboration with 94 Interpol member countries resulting in 7,800 illicit medication seizures totaling $11 million. Operation Pangea XV was conducted from June 23-30. The scope of work included... Read More »
Legislation seeks to increase penalties against southern border drug cartel spotters
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) recently introduced legislation to increase penalties against southern border drug cartel spotters illegally transmitting information regarding Border Patrol positions or destroying communication devices. Ernst noted the Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit... Read More »
HHS elevates Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response to standalone agency
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last week that the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has been renamed and elevated to the status of a standalone agency. In name, the office officially became the Administration for Strategic... Read More »
Senators push for federal acknowledgement of and work to change inequities in vaccine access amid monkeypox outbreak
As an international monkeypox outbreak continues to grow in scope, U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and 20 colleagues last week dispatched a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calling for... Read More »
Bill seeks to implement simplified disaster recovery assistance application
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Lankford (R-OK) recently introduced legislation that seeks to simplify the federal disaster recovery assistance application resource. The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business... Read More »
Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act introduced to Senate to improve federal security
Last week, U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced a security modernization bill known as the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act to address wide-reaching cybersecurity issues. The bill would require federal agencies to engage the most up-to-date... Read More »
START, National Service Foundation hold workshop on critical system supply chains
A workshop co-hosted by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) and sponsored by the National Service Foundation (NSF) gathered partners and panelists this month to discuss critical systems and the potential for compromising supply chains. For the... Read More »
CBP opens new Port of Entry at Alexandria Bay in New York
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel officially opened the new Port of Entry at Alexandria Bay on July 19, noting the project would increase efficiency and improve traffic flow. “It’s a state-of-the-art facility that greatly enhances our officers' ability to screen incoming... Read More »
Lawmakers advocate dirty bomb attack preparedness
U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, is advocating Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) preparedness for a potential domestic dirty bomb attack. Thompson recently released findings from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report,... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Cornyn introduce Non-Intrusive Inspection Expansion Act to bolster screening at ports of entry
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Non-Intrusive Inspection Expansion Act (S. 4572) this week, seeking to improve the screening of vehicles, cargo, and overall border security at the nation’s ports of entry. Drug detection is one of the major focuses of the... Read More »
DHS creates new Office of Health Security to guide public health actions
To guide its future medical, workforce health and safety, and public health authority, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week established a new Office of Health Security. It is the result of a reorganization, which will shuffle the department’s organizational structure to a... Read More »
Bill seeks to track Iranian nuclear capabilities
U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) recently introduced legislation to monitor Iran's nuclear weapons and missile capabilities. The Iran Nuclear Weapons Capability Monitoring Act of 2022 would establish a Department of State-spearheaded task force responsible for regularly... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security committee hears of weapons of mass destruction risks, DHS security efforts
At a hearing convened by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, lawmakers heard from federal officials about the risks posed by chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological weapons, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to counter them, and the creation of... Read More »
Gunlocks, mapping, youth employment programs among gun violence reduction initiatives in New York’s Erie County
Following a spate of shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., last summer, the Erie County Gun Violence Prevention Task Force was formed to promote gun violence reduction initiatives and engage with the community, and as of this week, it delivered its first report on the efforts and successes that... Read More »
Nuclear security amendment among provisions advanced by House’s National Defense Authorization Act
An amendment sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) to improve nuclear security advanced out of the House last week, along with others included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). "I was proud to vote for the National Defense Authorization Act, which makes major investments to... Read More »
Senate Select Committee on Intelligence advances legislation authorizing increased funding, oversight
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has advanced legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (D-ME) that authorizes funding, provides legal authorities, and improves congressional Intelligence community oversight. The committee passed the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal... Read More »
Rep. Joyce applauds inclusion of NDAA amendment reducing depending on Chinese resources
U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) is commending the House of Representatives' passage of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and his amendment regarding Chinese product and resource dependency. The amendment eliminates the domestic Armed Forces’ dependence on Chinese-made... Read More »
Rep. Swalwell introduces Proactive Cyber Initiatives Act to invest in new cybersecurity methods
Worried about rapidly fixing cyber vulnerabilities in the highly digital age, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) introduced the Proactive Cyber Initiatives Act of 2022 last week to direct investment into new cybersecurity efforts and shift from responsive defensive tactics to proactive ones. The... Read More »
HHS orders 2.5 million more JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccines, makes thousands more available
As concerns about the monkeypox outbreak worldwide continued to grow, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) responded last week with an order for another 2.5 million doses of Bavarian Nordic’s JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine to fill the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). While the... Read More »
Demings legislation seeking to aid Urban Area Security Initiative included in NDAA
U.S. Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) is commending colleagues for including her legislation supporting the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The action will be included in the NDAA Fiscal Year 2023, which serves as the legislative foundation for... Read More »
Pandemic prevention in focus with passage of National Defense Authorization Act
A major provision of the recently passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA, or H.R. 7900) – which advanced from the House by a vote of 329-101 last week – addresses commercial wildlife markets and illegal wildlife trafficking. An amendment to the act from U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley... Read More »
House advances active shooter legislation
U.S. Reps. David N. Cicilline (D-RI) and Fred Upton (R-MI) recently applauded the House of Representatives for advancing the Active Shooter Alert Act of 2022 (H.R.6538). The legislation would create an AMBER Alert similar system for active shooter incidents, which could be deployed during... Read More »
FDA authorizes Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted for emergency use on severe adult cases
Bolstering the number of options for use against SARS-CoV-2, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) this week for the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted. This authorization greenlit the vaccine for use on those at least 18 years old and... Read More »
CONSULT Act introduced in Senate to crack down on Chinese, Russian penetration of national security contracting
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced this week the CONSULT Act, which aims to prevent Russian, Chinese, and other countries of concern from meddling with national security consulting firms. CONSULT, or the Combating Obstructive National Security... Read More »
Legislation seeks to bolster security efforts at southern border
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jim Risch (R-ID) recently introduced legislation to bolster southern border security initiatives. The Solving the Border Crisis Act would resume southern border wall construction, strengthen management and enforcement capacities, and uphold the rule of... Read More »
DHS bolsters security cooperation with Qatar, United Arab Emirates
Seeking to progress key homeland security agreements and objectives, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced expanded security cooperation with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Robert Silvers, Under Secretary for Policy at the DOE, penned security arrangements with... Read More »
Bill prohibits Chinese purchases of domestic agriculture businesses
U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) have introduced a bill prohibiting countries such as China and Russia from purchasing U.S. agriculture companies. The Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act also ensures the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is fully... Read More »
Aerojet Rocketdyne to pay $9M to resolve False Claims Act violation, Justice Department announces
The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced that Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc., based in El Segundo, Calif., has agreed to pay $9 million to resolve False Claims Act violation allegations. According to the Justice Department, the settlement resolves a lawsuit filed and litigated by former... Read More »
Coalition of scientists, researchers and public health experts recommend means to strengthen oversight of pathogen research
New recommendations meant to overhaul U.S. research oversight for enhanced potential pandemic pathogens (ePPPs) and life sciences dual-use efforts were submitted last week by a 34-member group of scientists, public health experts, and policy researchers. These recommendations were submitted by... Read More »
Reps. Turner, Veasey seek to halt release of terrorists to Afghanistan
In response to Afghanistan’s return to Taliban rule, U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced legislation last week – the Preventing Terrorist Transfers to Afghanistan Act – that would disallow the release of terrorism-aligned individuals to Afghanistan. A similar... Read More »
CBP details northern Puerto Rico cocaine seizure
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently detailed the seizure of 1,342 pounds (609 Kilos) of cocaine left inside a smuggling vessel in El Paraiso Beach. The estimated value of the narcotics discovered in northern Puerto Rico is $12.7 million - crediting the seizure to Border Patrol... Read More »
Maryland Gov. Hogan announces $122.5M to re-fund police departments through State Aid for Police Protection program
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced this week that $122.5 million had been awarded through the State Aid for Police Protection (SAPP) program to expand resources for police departments statewide. “Prioritized by our budget, this record 60% increase in funding will help police officers and the... Read More »
Sens. Warner, Rubio encourage Federal Trade Commission to investigate TikTok, ByteDance
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to formally investigate TikTok and the platform's parent company, ByteDance. Warner and Rubio, respective chairman and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence,... Read More »
Joint Cybersecurity Advisory provides information on Maui ransomware
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) recently released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) providing information on Maui ransomware. The Maui ransomware has been used by North... Read More »