Policy
Senate advances legislation protecting firefighters, first responders from PFAS chemicals
Bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting firefighters, first responders, and communities from exposure advanced the Senate Thursday. The Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R- Maine), co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services... Read More »
Sens. Portman, Peters move to create deepfake task force within DHS
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced legislation to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) counter the effects of deepfake technology. Deepfakes are realistic, digital manipulations of real content that depict events that did not actually occur. Their bill, the... Read More »
U.S. lawmakers urge HHS to expand domestic manufacturing, technologies for pharmaceutical stockpile
In a letter dispatched last week, five U.S. representatives called on Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to tap domestic manufacturing and new technologies to grow the national stockpile of important pharmaceuticals and reduce reliance on foreign production. Although the... Read More »
National cyber director position gains $21M addendum in Senate’s Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act
Thanks to a bipartisan effort from U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Mitt Romney (R-UT), the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act will now include a $21 million carve-out for the Office of the National Cyber... Read More »
DHS awards two small business $1.68M in grants to enhance access to wireless service
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced that it awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants to two companies. The companies will use the money to develop an in-building coverage analysis system (ICAS) that will use existing first responder radio and... Read More »
Sens. Portman, Peters sponsor bill to research supply chain vulnerabilities
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced last week legislation that would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to research how supply chain vulnerabilities could threaten U.S. homeland security. The Domains Critical to Homeland Security Act will not only... Read More »
Senate Select Committee unanimously advances FY22 funding for Intelligence Community
Next year’s funding for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) cleared the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence last week, following a unanimous vote on the Intelligence Authorization Act. In all, the bill would authorize funding and legal authorities for 2022 while increasing congressional... Read More »
FDA extends emergency authorization for REGEN-COV antibody use for COVID-19 cases
REGEN-COV was confirmed for continued use against COVID-19 cases deemed at high risk for progression to hospitalization or death last week, with the extension of its Emergency Use Authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The therapeutic is a monoclonal antibody... Read More »
Critical infrastructure cyber defense legislation introduced in U.S. Senate
Following a new National Security Memorandum signed by President Joe Biden aimed at strengthening cybersecurity for the nation’s critical infrastructure, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators recently introduced the Defense of United States Infrastructure Act, S. 2491, legislation aimed at... Read More »
VACCINES Act introduced in U.S. House to protect veterans during public health emergencies
Bipartisan legislation that would direct the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish tests and vaccinations to America’s military veterans during public health emergencies was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Veterans’ Access to Care Concerning... Read More »
Learning the lessons of COVID-19, experts testify resources still inadequate to fight pandemics
State funding for public health departments has dropped by 16 percent since 2010, and these same departments have lost a quarter of their workforce in the last decade. How can the United States adequately prepare for the next pandemic when the public health infrastructure is woefully... Read More »
Biden administration unveils critical infrastructure protection initiative
Biden administration officials said efforts are underway to bolster critical infrastructure protections in the wake of expanding and continuous cyber threats. President Joe Biden's recent signing of a National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure... Read More »
Sen. Padilla advocates wildfire combating resources
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) is imploring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the solicitation of resources to combat California wildfires. During a recent Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) hearing, Padilla questioned Secretary of Homeland... Read More »
Senate confirms Kendall as Air Force Secretary
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Frank Kendall as the 26th Secretary of the Air Force, with officials lauding his decades-long record of service amid efforts to navigate global challenges. Kendall previously served in various Department of Defense senior capacities, including the Pentagon’s... Read More »
Lawmakers seek to end military draft registration
U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) joined U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY) in urging the rejection of efforts to expand military draft registrations. “Our professional, all-volunteer military is the finest fighting force in the world,” the legislators... Read More »
Measure targets FFL gun thefts
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) recently reintroduced the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2021, which seeks to address the rising number of smash-and-grab thefts targeted at federally licensed gun dealers venues. The lawmakers cited a Bureau of Alcohol,... Read More »
Resolution urges EU designation of Hezbollah as terrorist organization
U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Kathy Manning (D-NC), and Peter Meijer (R-MI) introduced Monday a resolution designed to encourage the European Union's (EU) full designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. The EU solely includes Hezbollah's military wing - separate... Read More »
DHS S&T launches third virtual segment in whole-of-government R&D showcase
For the launch of the third series of the Virtual Whole-of-Government Research and Development (R&D) Showcase this week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is looking to address upcoming scientific fields changing the world and how it handles... Read More »
DHS to cancel two Laredo border barrier contracts
Aligning with its Plan for Use of Border Barrier Funds, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is terminating two Laredo Sector border barrier contracts. CBP officials said the contracts are unnecessary to address any life, safety,... Read More »
Sen. Ernst secures supply chain, troop priorities in defense bill
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) recently secured a series of major priorities in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Senate’s annual defense bill. Secured provisions include continued development and fielding of protective body armor designed specifically for female troops, improved... Read More »
Congress sees growing bicameral call for $34B to improve global vaccine distribution
In a letter written to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), more than 70 U.S. representatives and senators have called for providing up to $34 billion to speed up COVID-19 vaccine production for global use. “No investment in the fight... Read More »
Bipartisan senators introduce legislation to secure critical infrastructure networks against cyberattacks
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced legislation Thursday designed to safeguard America’s critical infrastructure networks against cybersecurity threats. The bill would require the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security... Read More »
Final report released on Defense Critical Supply Chain
The Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force recently released final report findings and recommendations regarding threats and vulnerabilities. “Throughout the pandemic, U.S. adversaries like China weaponized supply chain vulnerabilities in a way that threatened Americans’ health and... Read More »
Democratic legislators seeks reduced nuclear weapons national security strategy
A group of lawmakers recently urged the Biden administration to consider fulfilling a pledge to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in the nation's national security strategy. U.S. Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA) and U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR)... Read More »
Biden administration pledges more than $1.6B for COVID-19 testing, mitigation in high-risk communities
Drawing on funds from the American Rescue Plan, the Biden administration announced last week that its Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will invest more than $1.6 billion into testing and mitigation efforts focused on the communities most vulnerable to COVID-19. “As we continue... Read More »
House advances bill seeking to protect local transportation systems
Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) to improve security at U.S. railways and mass transit systems advanced the U.S. House, the congresswoman announced Tuesday. The Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act (H. R. 1870) would put more federal... Read More »
House committee advances eight cybersecurity bills
The U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced eight bills, which would promote more secure networks and supply chains while securing a wireless future. The Secure Equipment Act of 2021 would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules... Read More »
Rep. Meng secures $30M to expand provisions of COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act
Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) announced Tuesday that she has secured $30 million for the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill as a means of expanding COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act provisions. The key spending bill is slated for the House of Representatives in anticipation of passage later this... Read More »
Senate cyber bill would require immediate reporting of cyber intrusions
U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced Wednesday the Cyber Incident Notification Act of 2021, which seeks to make it mandatory for federal agencies, government contractors, and critical infrastructure to report cyber intrusions to the Cybersecurity... Read More »
Bill to combat human trafficking advances House
U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) announced Tuesday his bill to combat human trafficking passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support. The DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act would bolster the existing efforts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to combat human... Read More »
Bill seeks to protect law enforcement, first responders from lethal substances
U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and David Trone (D-MD) recently introduced a bill that seeks to protect law enforcement personnel and other first responders from lethal substances such as fentanyl. The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act would improve state and local government... Read More »
Bipartisan measure offers support for Office of the National Cyber Director
A newly introduced bill seeks to authorize utilizing individuals with expertise from other agencies to assist the Office of the National Cyber Director (NCD). U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD), Rob Portman (R-OH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), and Gary Peters (D-MI) recently presented... Read More »
DHS, TSA directive requires specific cybersecurity efforts for critical pipelines
Pushing back against the string of cybersecurity threats instigated this year, the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a new Security Directive this week that requires owners and operators of critical pipelines to roll out urgent cyber protections. “Secure... Read More »
House advances SAFE Act, supporting participation in CEPI
The House of Representatives voted this week to advance the Securing America from Epidemics (SAFE) Act, which would authorize U.S. participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI). CEPI is a public-private partnership focused on developing vaccines for highly infectious... Read More »