Policy
Reps. Norton, Maloney, Brown detail NDAA National Guard amendment
U.S. Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), and Anthony G. Brown (D-MD) recently filed a fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment providing the District of Columbia mayor D.C. National Guard control. The legislators introduced the filing at the... Read More »
Senators introduce bipartisan resolution of commitment to rebuilding Ukraine
As the war between Ukraine and Russia continues unabated, despite hundreds of deaths and months of economic sanctions, some lawmakers in the United States have begun looking to the future, with a resolution committing the United States to rebuild the ravaged Ukraine. Essentially, the bill would... Read More »
DHS awards $195,000 to winners of extreme heat challenge
As part of a competitive search for climate-friendly cooling solutions in the face of extreme heat conditions, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded $195,000 to winners of the Cooling Solutions Challenge this week. Participants worked on innovative solutions to heat, inventing... Read More »
HHS orders 2.5 million additional doses of Bavarian Nordic’s monkeypox vaccine
Responding to the more than 450 cases of monkeypox reported in the United States as of July 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ordered another 2.5 million doses of Bavarian Nordic’s JYNNEOS vaccine for smallpox and monkeypox. The case count held at 459 at the end of... Read More »
FEMA launches update to mobile app, touts increase personalization options
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently unveiled an updated version of its mobile app, which now provides users with increased personalization options while aiding disaster safety efforts. “FEMA is committed to providing families with the tools and information they need to keep... Read More »
California Aerospace Caucus co-chairs make bid to house Space Force headquarters
U.S. Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA), co-chairs of the California Aerospace Caucus, sent a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall III last week, urging for the permanent relocation of the U.S. Space Force (USSF) upcoming Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM)... Read More »
Sens. Warner, Baldwin lead effort advocating domestically made masks purchases
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), advocating support for a CMS proposal encouraging hospitals to buy domestically-produced masks. U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined six colleagues in sending... Read More »
DHS S&T, Israel National Cyber Directorate detail cybersecurity collaboration
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) recently formed the Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Cyber program-managed joint initiative, which would enhance critical infrastructure cyber... Read More »
DOJ forms collaborative New England Prescription Opioid Strike Force in focus on illegal opioid prescriptions
Struggling to contain a national opioid epidemic, the United States Justice Department (DOJ) Criminal Division this week gathered various law enforcement operations together under the New England Prescription Opioid (NEPO) Strike Force. The strike force represents a renewed focus on unlawful... Read More »
Experts, public health leaders gathered to discuss need for well-funded public health system in wake of COVID-19
Public health policy organization Trust for America’s Health and the nonprofit collective known as the Coalition for Health Funding assembled expert panelists and public health officials last week to discuss public health funding in the post-COVID landscape. While COVID-19’s effects are... Read More »
HHS details agreement to purchase 105 million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently detailed an agreement to purchase 105 million doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for a fall vaccination campaign. HHS collaborated with the U.S. Department of Defense on the $3.2 billion contract that includes a combination of... Read More »
New DARPA-funded blockchain study points out exploits of security
A new study conducted by consulting firm Trail of Bits and funded by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) concluded that despite claims to the contrary, blockchains are not impenetrable but can be subverted to dishonest means. Despite the growing prevalence of blockchains... Read More »
Sen. Tester urges Biden administration to reopen northern border
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) is requesting the Biden administration reopen the northern border and recently encouraged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to end the trucker and traveler vaccination mandate. Tester recently implored Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro... Read More »
FDA to review biologics license application for Emergent BioSolutions anthrax vaccine candidate
With the acceptance of a biologics license application (BLA) from Emergent BioSolutions Inc. last week, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to review the potential of AV7909, an anthrax vaccine candidate. “Over the last 20 years, Emergent has partnered with the U.S.... Read More »
DHS awards nearly $4.5M in research contracts to 30 small businesses
As encouragement for proof-of-concept research into homeland security technology, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) divided up $4.479 million in competitive research contracts to 30 small businesses. This first phase of the DHS Small... Read More »
Rep. Cicilline urges increased legislative action to combat gun violence
Following the advancement of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Rep. David N. Cicilline said the momentum must be used to pass other gun violence combating measures. “This is the first time in nearly 28 years that Congress has sent a comprehensive gun violence prevention bill to the... Read More »
National Defense Authorization Act for 2023 advances to chamber reconciliation
After a final vote last week, the House’s $850 billion version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 advanced toward reconciliation with its Senate counterpart. Notably, the NDAA as written surpassed President Joe Biden’s own proposal for $813 billion and... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection, Grace Farms Foundation host federal law enforcement summit
At a conference jointly hosted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Grace Farms Foundation last week, hundreds of law enforcement officials gathered to discuss transnational threats, as well as the information sharing and best practices needed to tackle them. “U.S. Customs and... Read More »
Legislation seeks sensitive data protections from high-risk foreign countries
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) recently introduced the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Surveillance Act, which seeks to create protections against selling or transferring domestic sensitive... Read More »
CDC expands monkeypox testing capacity with shipments to five commercial lab companies
Working through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began shipping monkeypox tests to five commercial lab companies this week. It aims to boost the nation’s monkeypox testing capacity at large, with assistance from Aegis... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Hoeven, Rosen applaud enactment of cybersecurity workforce legislation
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) recently applauded the enactment of their legislation to recruit, develop and retain skilled cybersecurity professionals in the federal workforce. The Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act became law in the wake... Read More »
OPCW Director-General meets U.S. Arms Control officials to discuss current international security, stockpile destruction
In an official visit to Washington, D.C., the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Fernando Arias, met with various U.S. officials to address current international security and prevent the re-emergence of chemical weapons. Under... Read More »
GAO issues cyber risk, insurance assessment recommendations
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued two recommendations to the Treasury Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding cyber risks and cyber insurance assessments. Per the GAO, the agency conducted the study amid cyber threats to critical... Read More »
Bipartisan group of senators call for more advanced artillery for Ukraine
This week, a bipartisan call from four senators urged the U.S. Department of Defense to dispatch more advanced artillery rocket systems and ammunition to Ukraine in support of its efforts to repel a Russian invasion. In a letter, U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick... Read More »
Bipartisan Senate push seeks higher level leadership to remain at helm of Jerusalem-based USSC post
A bipartisan collection of 34 senators expressed concern this week amid reports that the Pentagon may downgrade the U.S. Security Coordinator (USSC) position based in Israel to a colonel rather than a three-star general. The senators argue that the change could disrupt operations at a key U.S.... Read More »
International IED training at New York State preparedness training center deemed success
Over the course of a week, the latest iteration of the Raven’s Challenge, an improvised explosive devices (IED) training exercise for state, federal, and international partners in public safety and military, gathered more than 100 personnel in New York’s Oneida County this month. The State... Read More »
Republican House committee leadership promote more aggressive response to Russian nuclear threats
According to a letter from the Republican leads on three House committees, not enough is being done to deter Russia from utilizing nuclear weapons in its assault on Ukraine – and they urged President Joe Biden to be clearer and more combative in his approaches. At this point, said U.S. Reps.... Read More »
DHS releases enforcement strategy for blocking forced labor-made goods from China’s Xinjiang
Following up on the demands made by the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week published its official strategy for barring importations from China’s Xinjiang region and cracking down on goods made from forced labor. China has come... Read More »
Measure seeks to address gun sales loophole
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) announced the reintroduction of the Default Proceed Sale Transparency Act, which seeks to close a loophole enabling some gun sales to be completed without Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check results. U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL), Jimmy... Read More »
National Defense Authorization Act advances through Senate Armed Services Committee
The upcoming fiscal year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) overcame one of its major hurdles last week, advancing out of the Senate Armed Services Committee after consideration of 433 amendments and the adoption of 223. Committee markup and approval is the first big step to set... Read More »
HSI details $4.7M narcotics trafficking indictment
The U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) recently led an investigation that led to the indictment of 20 Mexican nationals among 39 defendants for narcotics trafficking. The individuals had roles in a $4.7 million conspiracy to distribute more than 335 kilograms of methamphetamine and 22... Read More »
DOJ, European Union unify ransomware attack combating efforts
Department of Justice and European Union officials are espousing the benefits of a recent two-day workshop in The Hague to share best practices and enhance collaboration in confronting ransomware attacks. “Only by working together with key law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in the EU... Read More »
Senate advances PACT Act of 2022 to president, promising greater focus on toxic exposure among veterans
A positive vote of 84-14 in the Senate passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 through its final legislative hurdle last week, advancing it to President Joe Biden to sign. The legislation introduced by U.S. Sens.... Read More »
Reps. LaHood, Panetta lead coalition urging strengthened U.S. supply chains
U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (IL) and Jimmy Panetta (CA) led 18 colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden, encouraging him to improve supply chains, national preparedness, and vaccine delivery efficiency. They hope this will help the nation recover economically from the COVID-19... Read More »