Policy
Bipartisan group of senators urge federal action to support private, public institutions against Russian cyberattacks
Fearing Russian cyberattacks as reprisal for support of Ukraine, a bipartisan collection of senators wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this week pushing for dedicated resources to aid private and public institutions. Led by U.S. Sen. John... Read More »
Reps. Katko, Comer express concerns regarding terrorist border apprehension
U.S. Reps. John Katko (R-NY) and James Comer (R-KY) expressed concerns to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding failure to disclose apprehension information for southern border terrorists. “We write to conduct oversight over the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS)... Read More »
Bill seeks human trafficking prevention efforts expansion
U.S. Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Karen Bass (D-CA), and Nancy Mace (R-SC) recently introduced legislation that seeks to expand human trafficking prevention efforts. The Human Trafficking Prevention Act requires posting National Human Trafficking Hotline contact information... Read More »
FDA advisory committee to discuss future COVID-19 vaccine boosters next month
At a virtual meeting on April 6, 2022, the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet to address the future of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses and the process for selecting them for use against specific viral... Read More »
Sen. Wicker calls for increased Coast Guard funding
In a letter this week, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, called on President Joe Biden to increase U.S. Coast Guard funding by $3 billion to address shoreside infrastructure needs. Released in advance of the... Read More »
Bipartisan Senate delegation detail Poland, Germany visit
A group of 10 Senators recently visited Poland and Germany in support of Ukraine amid the nation's war with Russia. U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Angus King (I-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Steve Daines... Read More »
American Immigrant Investor Alliance plans to continue working to protect EB-5 investors
Until the formation last year of the American Immigrant Investor Alliance (AIIA), no single organization existed to effectively advocate on behalf of EB-5 investors. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit was founded in 2021 by four immigrant investors to provide a voice and representation on... Read More »
Legislation creating national plan to prevent methamphetamine addiction, overdose signed into law
Legislation introduced to create a national plan to combat the growth of the methamphetamine addiction and overdose crisis was recently signed into law by President Joe Biden. The Methamphetamine Response Act requires the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to create and deploy a... Read More »
Sens. Boozman, Kennedy advocate bolstered Russian cyberattacks prevention efforts
U.S. Sens. John Boozman (R-AR) and John Kennedy (R-LA) recently joined a group of colleagues advocating bolstered efforts that focus on preventing cyberattacks initiated by Russia or its representatives. Boozman and Kennedy and 11 other Senate members signed correspondence to Defense Secretary... Read More »
Congressional COVID-19 Global Vaccination Caucus in new press for response funding in any coronavirus package
In a letter sent to Congressional leadership, the co-chairs of the COVID-19 Global Vaccination Caucus urged the inclusion of $5 billion in global COVID-19 response funding with any COVID-19 supplemental package. This would shore up aid when USAID has said it will have fully obligated the funding... Read More »
TSA awards more than $781M for airport checkpoint CT x-ray scanners
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded two contracts worth a combined $781.2 million to procure and maintain base and full-size Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray systems for scanning carry-on items at airport checkpoints. This will result in 469 base and 469 full-size systems... Read More »
Republican senators introduce resolution bolstering Ukraine’s air defense
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has joined nine colleagues in introducing a resolution encouraging the Biden administration to facilitate transferring aircraft that include MiG-29s to aid Ukraine's air defense systems. The resolution supports continued efforts by members of the North Atlantic... Read More »
Bill supports FEMA National Risk Index
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) recently introduced legislation that seeks to make permanent the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index (NRI) to aiding natural disaster vulnerable communities. The measure would also require FEMA to use data from... Read More »
Legislation introduced to allow U.S. Fire Administration assistance for local investigations of major fires
Under a bill introduced to the House of Representatives this week, the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act, four legislators proposed changes to federal legislation that would allow the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to aid local firefighter investigations after major... Read More »
Measure targets ports of entry staffing shortages
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) recently reintroduced legislation to strengthen border security and address ports of entry personnel shortages. The Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act, which passed out of committee last Congress, would fully staff the nation's airports,... Read More »
Rep. Quigley praises passage of gun violence prevention measure
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) is commending President Joe Biden's signing of legislation introduced to bolster gun violence prevention efforts. The NICS Denial Notification Act was signed into law by Biden under the FY22 Omnibus package. It requires federal authorities to alert state and local... Read More »
DHS S&T requests new means to identify, counter threats to public safety
A new solicitation issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) this week sought modern means of identifying and mitigating threats to so-called soft targets: sports venues, shopping complexes, schools, and more. As a program, Securing... Read More »
Senate HELP Committee advances PREVENT Pandemics Act to floor in effort to strengthen U.S. health system
A new attempt to strengthen the U.S. public health, medical preparedness, and response system will have its day in the Senate, after it was voted forward in a 20-2 vote by the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New... Read More »
Lawmakers encourage Ukrainian Armed Forces support
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, encouraging Ukrainian Armed Forces' support against Russia. U.S. Reps. Michael Turner (R-OH), Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Michael McCaul (R-TX) joined U.S. Sens. Jim... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Portman tout infrastructure cybersecurity threat reporting provision
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) are espousing the benefits of a critical infrastructure cybersecurity threat reporting provision signed into law as a part of the government funding legislation. Peters and Portman authored the provision requiring critical infrastructure... Read More »
CISA hosts 200 international organizations for Cyber Storm VIII cybersecurity exercise
Over three days last week, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) drew together more than 2,000 representatives from approximately 200 international organizations for an extensive cybersecurity exercise revolving around critical infrastructure: Cyber Storm VIII. “Over the... Read More »
Congressional Border Security Technology Caucus formed to modernize border
Four congressmen founded a new bipartisan Border Security Technology Caucus this week to keep Congress informed of available technologies to improve U.S. border security. It was created by U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Tim Ryan (D-OH), and Vicente Gonzalez... Read More »
Lawmakers seek DHS insight regarding Russian cyberthreat protections
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) joined 19 colleagues in sending correspondence to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, seeking information regarding agency efforts to protect the nation from Russian... Read More »
Republican lawmakers oppose Iranian Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
A group of 49 Republican Senators recently expressed to President Joe Biden they are not in favor of the revived Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran. “According to press reports, the Biden Administration may soon conclude an agreement with Iran to provide substantial sanctions relief... Read More »
Intelligence Authorization Act worked into omnibus spending bill to increase Congressional oversight of U.S. Intelligence community
Included in the omnibus spending bill advanced by the Senate last week, the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2022 (IAA) would authorize funding and legal authorities for the U.S. Intelligence community while increasing oversight of it. “The Intelligence Authorization Act ensures that... Read More »
Sens. Hickenlooper, Cassidy introduce bill to modernize biosurveillance
U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced legislation Thursday that would modernize programs currently focused on surveilling and forecasting future pandemic-causing viruses. Called the Modernizing Biosurveillance Capabilities and Epidemic Forecasting Act, the bill... Read More »
Senate advances cybersecurity provision that would empower CISA and increase cyberattack reporting demands
The Senate advanced as part of the government funding legislation a provision from U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) that would require cyber attacks on critical infrastructure to be reported and further federal oversight. Peters and Portman, chairman and ranking member of the... Read More »
DHS details domestic violent extremism report
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released a report that seeks to assess efforts to maximize preventing, detecting, and responding to potential domestic violent extremism threats. “Every day, the more than 250,000 dedicated public servants at DHS work to ensure the safety... Read More »
U.S.-Mexico law enforcement collaboration takes down human smuggling operation
The U.S. Department of Justice said a recent collaboration of U.S. and Mexican law enforcement resulted in an enforcement operation dismantling a transnational human smuggling organization in Nogales, Sonora. “The Attorney General established Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) to address the threat... Read More »
Trust for America’s Health report urges investment into public health system as readiness falls
In a new report released this week, the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) called out gaps in states’ emergency response capabilities and advocated for urgent investment in a new public health system. The report, Ready or Not 2022: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases,... Read More »
Bill seeks to bolster border security initiatives on Tribal Lands
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) said the House of Representatives' advancement of the Shadow Wolves Enhancement Act (H.R. 5681) represents wins for border security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Katko is ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and introduced the... Read More »
House Omnibus adds major grant fund increase for protection of nonprofits, houses of worship
In a move hailed by U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Agreement for FY 2022 now includes an increase of funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $250 million. The funding, representing a 39... Read More »
EB-5 program renewed with reforms to fight fraud under House-approved spending bill
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday night passed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending measure that includes the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, which now is reauthorized through 2027. The larger legislation funding the government through September now heads back to the U.S. Senate, which... Read More »
Sens. Warner, Kaine applaud resolution condemning HBCU bomb threats
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) applauded the Senate's recent passage of a resolution condemning a recent series of bomb threats against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Warner and Kaine indicated the resolution, spearheaded by U.S. Sens. Chris Coons... Read More »