Policy
Sen. Hoeven details progress of Space Networking Center
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) recently provided an update regarding the establishment of the Space Networking Center at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Hoeven is espousing the benefits of the Space Development Agency (SDA) awarding an operations and integration (O&I) contract totaling nearly $325... Read More »
Bills target wildfire response, recovery
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced two bills seeking to support efforts in California and nationwide to extinguish fires faster. The Fire Suppression Improvement Act would also protect communities from post-fire flooding and expand Federal Emergency Management... Read More »
Bill targets federal cybersecurity information sharing
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Gary Peters (D-MI) recently praised the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) for advancing the Intragovernmental Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act. The bill seeks to ensure cybersecurity... Read More »
Senate panel advances federal firefighter benefits legislation
U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are commending the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) for advancing legislation aiding the federal firefighter benefits platform. Carper and Collins, co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus,... Read More »
Sen. Peters releases ransomware report detailing rising attacks, use of cryptocurrencies for ransom payments
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, concluded an investigation this week into cryptocurrencies’ role in cybercriminal activities with a new ransomware report. In “Use of Cryptocurrency in Ransomware Attacks, Available... Read More »
DOJ details charges against Iraqi national involved in murder plot against former President
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has detailed charges against an Iraqi citizen living in Columbus, Ohio, whom the agency alleged was involved in plans to murder former President George W. Bush. Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, 52, was arrested by FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force agents and charged... Read More »
Reps. Turner, Jordan seek clarity regarding FBI Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorities
U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) forwarded correspondence Tuesday to FBI Director Christopher Wray, seeking clarity regarding the agency's use of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authorities. The legislators focused on the 3.3 million person queries in 2021 -... Read More »
Sens. Rubio, Gillibrand, and Rounds seek to fund U.S.-Israel missile defense programs
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) forwarded correspondence to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Monday, advocating for the total funding of U.S.-Israel cooperative missile defense programs. The funding allocation would apply to the... Read More »
Air Force awards KBR $44M contract for systems, software protection
Science, technology, and engineering for KBR has secured a $44 million Air Force task order to protect systems and software from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. "We are excited to be a part of this significant project to protect the Air Force's... Read More »
FBI: Active shooter incidents in United States rose more than 50 percent last year
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced last week that 61 active shooter incidents were reported last year, representing a 52.5 percent increase from 2020 reports. Those numbers also led to 103 deaths and 140 injuries, not including the shooters. This gave 2021 a dubious distinction... Read More »
Rep. Garbarino introduces legislation to help DHS retain, recruit officers to counter transnational crimes
Worried about personnel shortages at the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit (TCIU) program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), new House legislation would authorize new incentivization to officers for retention and recruitment... Read More »
House committee advances PREVENT Act
U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) recently applauded the House Committee on Homeland Security for advancing the PREVENT Act, legislation he introduced to protect drug handling Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. “As the crisis at the southern border continues to spiral out of control, so... Read More »
HHS to invest up to $300M over next 10 years into CARB-X efforts to combat antimicrobial resistant infections
Beginning with $20 million this year, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will commit up to $300 million to support antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infection research conducted through the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) over... Read More »
Measure seeks to address police department staffing shortages
U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) recently joined nine colleagues in co-sponsoring a bill to address nationwide police staffing shortages. The Pathways to Policing Act invests in programs to aid state and local law enforcement agencies struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels by... Read More »
Measure seeks to strengthen firefighting efforts for federal weather service
U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) recently introduced a bill that seeks to enhance federal weather service firefighting efforts. The Fire Ready Nation Act of 2022 would create a fire weather services program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration... Read More »
House advances Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act to better equip federal agencies to tackle homegrown terrorists
The U.S. House of Representatives put racially motivated extremists, white supremacists, and other purveyors of domestic terrorism on notice last week with its advancement of the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA, H.R. 350). Proponents have sought to push such a bill since at least 2017,... Read More »
Bills target border security, migrant trafficking
U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) recently introduced the Emergency Migration Response Act and the Border Security and Migrant Safety Act to bolster southern border security and address migrant human trafficking. The Emergency Migration Response Act directs the Department... Read More »
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 »