Policy
DHS inventors earn remote alarm patent
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) said two inventors within the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) have received remote alarm patents. Electronics engineer Norman Chiu and physicist Paul Goldhagen were granted U.S. Patent... Read More »
ACT Accelerator calls for $23.4B by September 2022 to close access gaps for COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments
The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator released a new strategic plan last week that seeks $23.4 billion from international investors by September 2022 to patch inequalities in access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, vaccines, and personal protective equipment. This is particularly... Read More »
Rep. Thompson says Build Back Better Act address national security challenges
U.S Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, said the Build Back Better Act addresses pressing national security challenges. Thompson said the legislation would include $1.5 billion in investments to improve the national cybersecurity posture, help... Read More »
Bill seeks to aid veterans, law enforcement
U.S. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA), Maria Salazar (R-FL), and Lou Correa (D-CA) are spearheading an effort with colleagues to introduce legislation seeking to aid veterans and law enforcement personnel. The three legislators recently detailed the Supporting Every at-Risk Veteran in Critical Emergencies... Read More »
Global Preparedness Monitoring Board warns world needs ‘coherent and concerted’ reforms to end COVID-19, prevent future pandemics
According to a new report from the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB), the world is broken in its inequality, division, and lack of accountability, making a health emergency ecosystem incapable of ending the COVID-19 pandemic or preventing another. The opportunity for reform is... Read More »
Sen. Markey, Rep. Krishnamoorthi advocate for global vaccination goal plan
U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) forwarded correspondence to three agencies seeking an outline regarding administration plans to vaccinate 70 percent of the world population by September 2022. Markey and Krishnamoorthi, co-founders of the COVID-19... Read More »
CISA announces appointment of Wyman to Senior Election Security Lead
On Monday, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced that Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman would serve the Biden administration as CISA's Senior Election Security Lead. An expert on elections and an experienced Secretary of State, Wyman’s appointment... Read More »
IAFC supports FEMA wildfire combating efforts
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is encouraging Congress to support Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs to address efforts to combat nationwide wildfires. IAFC personnel recently testified before the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and... Read More »
House Republicans tout bills seeking to address homeland security improvements
House Committee on Homeland Security lawmakers said the panel has advanced 12 measures to bolster homeland security, which includes five Homeland Republican bills. “Homeland Republicans continue to deliver results for the American people aimed at strengthening our homeland security and... Read More »
HAVANA Act funding included in appropriations bill
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) announced the inclusion of HAVANA Act funding in the draft Department of Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2022. The bill authored by Collins authorizes the CIA Director and Secretary of State to provide additional financial support for American public... Read More »
Trahan, McKinley BIO Act to be featured in House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing
Legislation from U.S. Reps. Lori Trahan (D-MA) and David B. McKinley (R-WV) will be considered in an upcoming hearing hosted by the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, the legislators said Monday. The Bolstering Infectious Outbreaks (BIO) Preparedness Workforce Act... Read More »
HHS to invest $70M to accelerate COVID-19 test developers regulatory progress, revise regulatory path overall
As part of ongoing efforts to increase COVID-19 test access, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week that it would trigger major investments into accelerating the regulatory pathway for at-home COVID-19 tests and hopes to revise the regulatory pathway... Read More »
Bill seeks to limit domestic terrorists from holding security clearances
U.S. Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Jason Crow (D-CO) introduced legislation this week limiting domestic terrorists from holding security clearances in the wake of the FBI announcing it has nearly tripled its domestic terrorism caseload. The No Clearance For Domestic Terrorists Act (H.R. 5513)... Read More »
Biden administration ramps up whole-government approach to address global health threats
The Biden-Harris administration has reprioritized global health security at the top of America’s national security agenda in efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic and bolster health systems worldwide by improving preparation, prevention, detection, and response to the next public health... Read More »
Lawmakers urge domestic lead on global immunizations
U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Thune (R-SD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Ben Sasse (R-NE) forwarded correspondence last week to President Joe Biden encouraging the United States to take the global lead regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and pandemic combating efforts. “We urge you in the... Read More »
Reps. Katko, Cuellar propose improvements to Shadow Wolves authority
U.S. Reps. John Katko (R-NY) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced bipartisan legislation Friday that would improve Shadow Wolves officers’ ability to stop illicit activity on tribal lands. The Shadow Wolves Enhancement Act would allow officers to be reclassified as special agents, giving them... Read More »
Bill addresses cyber incident response planning
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced legislation last week that would require the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assess its cyber incident response plans and procedures. The DHS Roles and Responsibilities in Cyber Space Act's original co-sponsors were three members of the... Read More »
NSA, Maryland form new cybersecurity partnership to address data policies, security
Through a new cybersecurity fellowship announced last week by the State of Maryland and the National Security Agency (NSA), the partners intend to pursue best data practices, policies, standards, and security. As part of this arrangement, NSA senior data analyst Jason Jabers joined Gov. Larry... Read More »
Bill seeks to avert biomedical research threats
U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) has introduced a bill he said seeks to protect from foreign threats biomedical research conducted or funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH). The Securing and Fortifying Everyday Biomedical Research Act (SAFE Biomedical Research Act - H.R. 5626) would ensure... Read More »
Bill targets continued federal anti-terrorism support
U.S. Reps. Val Demings (D-FL) and Don Bacon (R-NE) last week introduced legislation to create a plan to continue federal anti-terrorism support for Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)-funded homeland security capabilities. The Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Act (H.B. 5615) directs... Read More »
House advances Secure Equipment Act
House Republican Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and U.S. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) applauded their U.S. House of Representatives colleagues for advancing the Secure Equipment Act. The measure prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reviewing or issuing new equipment licenses... Read More »
CISA awards $2M for cybersecurity workforce training
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) officials announced that two organizations have secured awards totaling $2 million to develop cybersecurity workforce training programs. NPower and CyberWarrior will focus on the unemployed and underemployed, urban and rural underserved... Read More »
House approves sweeping bipartisan bill to revamp Strategic National Stockpile
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 397-22 to approve a bipartisan bill that aims to reform how the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is administered and managed. The legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration. The Strengthening America’s Strategic National... Read More »
WHO recommends seven policies to build health system resilience, renew health security
In a new position paper, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the setbacks and failures faced worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted seven means for nations to begin building a more resilient and secure health system. These recommendations include: Utilizing... Read More »
Bill seeks to enhance wildfire combating efforts
U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) introduced Tuesday the Military Support for Fighting Wildfires Act, which seeks to bolster wildfire combating efforts. Garamendi joined U.S. Reps. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) in delivering the bill for consideration. The legislation seeks to... Read More »
Sen. Wicker advocates naval ship fleet requirement
During a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, President Joe Biden’s nominee for Deputy Undersecretary for Policy at the Department of Defense, Sasha Baker, affirmed a U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker's (R-MS) naval fleet requirement advocacy. A hearing exchange resulted in Baker expressing... Read More »
Rep. Portman seeks answers from Customs and Border Protection nominee on crisis at Southern Border
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), the ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, grilled Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus, President Joe Biden’s nominee for Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), on the need for enhanced border security... Read More »
DHS provides 24/7 hotline for modeling and analysis of chemical hazards during severe weather
Recognizing the additional level of dangerous chemical hazards brought on by storm-damaged infrastructure could cause, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is providing a 24/7 hotline to address a variety of threats and how they could... Read More »
Sen. Murray promotes $1.85B budget increase for CDC, public health funding amidst pandemic
Fed up with the dangers of an unprepared and underfunded public health system, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) voiced support this week for a fiscal year 2022 bill that would increase Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding by $1.85 billion. The bill, released by the Labor, Health... Read More »
Sens. Portman, Peters introduce bipartisan legislation to combat human trafficking
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI), the ranking member and chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced legislation Monday designed to enhance the country’s ability to combat the rise of human trafficking. The Countering Human Trafficking Act... Read More »
Justice Department outlines defense contractor bribery charge
U.S. Department of Justice officials said the chief executive officer (CEO) of Multinational Logistics Services (MLS) is facing a criminal charge for alleged participation in a bribery scheme. Frank S. Rafaraci is an American citizen living abroad. Authorities cited a criminal complaint alleging... Read More »
Rep. Higgins assesses updated CDC COVID-19 vaccination guidance regarding international travel
After a recent request from U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) updated guidance on recognizing people as fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The White House indicated it will reopen land ports of entry on Nov. 8, 2021, after the sites have... Read More »
FDA advisory committee unanimously recommends Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine booster for emergency use authorization
Adults at least 18 years old could soon gain access to a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine booster shot if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agrees with the unanimous recommendation of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC). Last week, in a 19-0 vote,... Read More »
DHS funds earmarked for Coast Guard language translator
A San Jose, California-based firm has secured a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) award to develop a Coast Guard language translation platform. DHS S&T officials said the award of $199,592 to myLanguage would address the adaptation and customization... Read More »