Policy
Cybersecurity legislation heads to President’s desk for signature
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) recently introduced legislation to promote enhanced cybersecurity coordination between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state and local governments. The State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act previously passed the... Read More »
DOJ details violent crime summit
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently hosted a virtual summit to address increased gun violence impacting communities nationwide. The two-day session established an assembly of more than 500 prosecutors, federal and local law enforcement officials, and community partners under the... Read More »
Rep. Eric Swalwell introduces bill to improve U.S. cybersecurity protections to counter Russian threats
As fears of Russian cyber threats in reprisal for U.S. support of Ukraine continue to grow across Congress, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) introduced the Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Training Act this week to bolster U.S. cybersecurity. The new legislation would mandate the... Read More »
Shootings in New York, California prompt call for immediate vote on House Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act
Over the weekend, 11 people were killed and more injured across two separate shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Laguna Woods, Calif., and with them as a backdrop, U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) says it is past time for a House vote on the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (H.R. 350). “The rise... Read More »
Republican legislators introduce resolution to combat crime, increase security at southern border
Over 30 Republican legislators recently introduced a resolution that seeks to spur the Biden administration and Congress to act in developing a security plan to combat a rise in crime and increase security at the southern border. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) served as the resolution's sponsor... Read More »
DHS, DOL outline supplemental H-2B visa allocation
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) officials said 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas are available during the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022. “These additional H-2B visas will help employers meet the demand for seasonal workers at this... Read More »
DHS invests $1.6B for preparedness grant programs for state, local aid
Across a series of grant programs, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last week that it will disperse $1.6 billion this fiscal year in support of state and local officials seeking to plan for, prevent, halt and respond to terrorism and other issues. Supplementing $405.1... Read More »
Resolution seeks designation of Russia as state sponsor of terrorism
U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) recently introduced a resolution advocating the Secretary of State to designate the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism. The resolution outlines how the Russian Federation has and continues to promote acts of international terrorism... Read More »
Global COVID-19 Summit brings new policy, financial commitments to whole-of-society pandemic preparations
At the second Global COVID-19 Summit last week, governments, including the United States, pledged to provide $3.2 billion in additional funds for COVID-19 and other pandemic preparedness needs and committed to expanding and accelerating testing and vaccine access. This year’s summit was led by... Read More »
House advances measure seeking to improve TSA working conditions
The House of Representatives has advanced the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2022 (H.R. 903), indicating the measure would improve Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel working conditions. House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) sponsored the... Read More »
DoD awards $79.9M contract to Premix to create production capacity of resin for pipette tips
In a push to bolster COVID-19 diagnostic testing, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awarded a $79.9 million contract to Premix, Inc. this week, funding new onshore production capacity for plastic resin used in tests’ pipette tips. This will boost future supply chain demands and other... Read More »
Peters, Johnson supply chain legislation passes House and Senate, heads to President’s desk
Legislation authored by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) to protect the cybersecurity of the U.S. supply chain has passed the House and Senate. The Supply Chain Security Training Act (S.2201) would help protect against threats via cybersecurity and other technological... Read More »
Bill seeks to establish Space National Guard
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined 10 colleagues to introduce the Space National Guard Establishment Act. The legislation serves as the Senate companion to a measure introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) last year. Three years ago, active-duty... Read More »
House advances fire investigation enhancing measure
U.S. Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Peter Meijer (R-MI), and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) recently applauded the House of Representatives' advancement legislation that seeks to bolster federal efforts to assist with major fire investigations. The Empowering the U.S. Fire... Read More »
Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus endorses two bills to enhance funding for law enforcement
For National Police Week this year, the Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed the Invest to Protect Act of 2022 and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), which pledge to increase federal investment into recruitment and retention efforts at police departments nationwide. COPS is a part of... Read More »
Reps. Kustoff, Williams introduce bill to return Secret Service to Treasury Department oversight
U.S. Reps. David Kustoff (R-TN) and Roger Williams (R-TX) recently introduced the U.S. Secret Service Mission Improvement and Realignment Act of 2022 (H.R. 7689) that would place the U.S. Secret Service back under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Secret Service is... Read More »
Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act will ease means of providing U.S. military equipment to Ukraine
Following the passage of the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022, the Biden administration will find it easier to lend and lease military equipment to Ukraine and other Eastern European countries impacted by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Signed into law this week, the... Read More »
Justice Department details CPD, collaborative reform funding allotments
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said approximately $40 million has been earmarked for Community Policing Development (CPD) grants, in addition to $5 million being allocated for the Collaborative Reform Initiative. “Nothing is more important than keeping our communities safe,” Associate... Read More »
Funds earmarked for Delaware law enforcement initiatives
Delaware officials are touting $4.2 million in federal funding earmarked for law enforcement initiatives to improve transparency, reduce violence and bolster mental health services. Gov. John Carney recently joined U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Chris Coons (D-DE), and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt... Read More »
House committee leaders applaud Customs and Border Protection decision to disband “rogue” internal investigation teams
In response to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announcing it would disband Critical Incident Teams tasked with investigating and collecting evidence of excessive and deadly use of force from its agents, House leaders applauded the elimination of what they viewed as obstructive... Read More »
Better Cybercrime Metrics Act signed into law, pledges improvements to federal action on cybercrime
With the signing of the Better Cybercrime Metrics Act last week, President Joe Biden welcomed a new cybersecurity bill into law, promising improvements to how the federal government prosecutes, measures, and tracks cybercrime. Backed by the National Fraternal Order of Police and other national... Read More »
Bill seeks to protect domestic technology research from being used to bolster People’s Liberation Army
A group of legislators recently introduced legislation that would protect domestic technology research from being used by Chinese entities to benefit the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) led colleagues U.S. Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike... Read More »
Bill targets inequities in federal disaster response
A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation seeking to address systemic inequities concerning the federal government’s disaster and assistance distribution response. The Federal Emergency Management Advancement of Equity Act (FEMA Equity Act) was introduced by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth... Read More »
U.S. Attorney announces successful results of strategy to combat fraud related to COVID-19
U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Roger B. Handberg announced Wednesday that his work to combat COVID-19-related fraud has been, to date, successful. Working with federal, state, and local law enforcement, Handberg said his office was able to form the COVID-19 Fraud Task Force to... Read More »
Bill targets Russian war crimes documentation effort
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) recently introduced legislation that seeks to ensure America is undertaking coordinated efforts to collect and maintain war crimes evidence during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Cornyn, the sponsor of the Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability... Read More »Resolution targets illicit trade, money laundering
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a resolution advocating Congress address global criminal organizations, illicit trade, and trade-based money laundering (TBML) actions. The resolution was introduced by U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), John Cornyn (R-TX), Lindsey... Read More »
BAE Systems opens new engineering, production facility in New Hampshire
BAE Systems officials are espousing the benefits of its newly opened engineering and production facility in Manchester, N.H., which will support electronic warfare (EW) systems development initiatives. “Our new Manchester facility is critical to developing next-generation electromagnetic... Read More »
Sen. Tester introduces legislation seeking to strengthen U.S. borders
Two bills introduced by U.S. Sen. John Tester (R-MT) would further strengthen and secure the U.S. borders to Canada and Mexico, the senator’s office said Monday. Tester introduced the Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act, which will require U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to hire... Read More »
Bill targets enhanced anti-trafficking efforts
U.S. Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) joined nine colleagues in forwarding correspondence to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking maritime domain awareness clarity. The legislators are requesting that DHS adopt a common operating platform, which they... Read More »
CBP Trusted Traveler Programs reach milestone, exceeding 10 million members in March
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) initiative exceeded 10 million total members during March. TTP supports the agency's mission to secure domestic borders while facilitating lawful travel and trade - enabling pre-approved,... Read More »
GOP senators introduce bill to protect vaccine manufacturers’ intellectual property rights
Accusing the Biden administration of opening the fruits of American vaccine development to abuse by foreign nations, United States Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and several Republican colleagues have introduced a bill to block the federal government from waiving intellectual property rights. Through... Read More »
NTI hosts more than 40 nuclear experts at fifth Cyber-Nuclear Forum
The nonprofit Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) drew together dozens of nuclear experts from 15 countries and international organizations earlier this month for its fifth Cyber-Nuclear Forum, dedicated to addressing ransomware, supply chain issues, workforce maintenance, and effective security.... Read More »
Biden administration releases first national action plan to counter malicious drone activity
The rapid introduction and expansion of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, into daily life has created a host of additional safety and privacy concerns as well, and this week those concerns prompted the Biden administration to introduce the first Domestic Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems... Read More »
Lawmakers advocate DoD civilian harm accountability
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd J. Austin, III, encouraging the agency to bolster efforts to address civilian harm. U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) joined colleagues U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy... Read More »