Policy
House ICBM Act proposes spending pause for new nuclear missiles
Denouncing further spending on the nuclear Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program as unnecessary, costly, and promoting a nuclear arms race, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) has introduced legislation to pause development until 2031 and extend the lifespan of existing weapons. “As a... Read More »
Legislators seek accountability for food industry cyberattacks
U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) recently led colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden, encouraging the administration to hold China and Russia accountable for food industry cyberattacks. The correspondence addressed recent cyberattacks on infrastructure and the nation's food system and... Read More »
Republican legislators urge DHS to provide update of Trusted Traveler Program renewals
U.S. Reps. Chris Jacobs (R-NY), Peter Meijer (R-MI), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and John Katko (R-NY), ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, recently forwarded correspondence to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding a status update on the backlog of Trusted Traveler... Read More »
NIH-funded adjuvant for COVAXIN COVID-19 vaccine aids India’s pandemic response
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported this week that a COVAXIN adjuvant they funded, Alhydroxiquim-II, is actively aiding the COVID-19 response efforts in India, boosting the COVAXIN vaccine’s efficacy among the millions who have taken it. Alhydroxiquim-II was originally... Read More »
Legislators push forward the PASTEUR Act to address antimicrobial resistance
Antibiotics underpin modern medicine— used to treat everything from bacterial infections to cancer. However, a world without effective antibiotics because of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could mean the unraveling of health care. It also has implications for national security as antibiotics... Read More »
Legislation seeks to increase funding for Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
U.S. Reps. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Mark Green (R-TN) introduced last week legislation seeking to increase funding to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). The measure garnered advancement in the U.S. House of Representatives last year as efforts with the executive branch continue... Read More »
Bipartisan senators seek updated public transportation travel, mask guidance
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding travel and mask guidance updates. U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar... Read More »
New report calls for ASPR reforms, greater interagency coordination
A new policy brief released this week by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) assessed the role of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) during the COVID-19 pandemic and concluded that reforms are necessary both within the agency and beyond to improve federal pandemic... Read More »
Legislation seeks to address Arctic region security
U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Elaine Luria (D-VA) recently joined U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME) in introducing legislation that focuses on assessing Arctic region security while also establishing Department of Defense (DOD) resources there. The Arctic Security... Read More »
Senate HELP Committee to oversee three new areas U.S. public health, medical preparedness efforts
Committee leadership for the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced that it would provide oversight and investigation of three new areas to improve the nation’s pandemic preparedness effort. “More than 600,000 Americans have died as a result of... Read More »
Bill targets cybersecurity literacy effort
A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation seeking to increase knowledge and awareness of cybersecurity risks via a cybersecurity literacy campaign. U.S. Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) presented the... Read More »
Marine Corps touts benefits of wargaming venue under construction
Marine Corps officials are espousing the benefits of its Wargaming and Analysis Center currently under construction. The 100,000 square-foot venue will house various capabilities to enhance warfighter preparedness. “This facility is a big deal to us, to the commandant and to those [young... Read More »
Rep. Duncan proposes new office to oversee NTIA cybersecurity efforts
With the introduction of new legislation last week, U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) has proposed the creation of the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity (OPDC) within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to advance national cybersecurity... Read More »
EB-5 Regional Center Program reauthorization blocked
The EB-5 Regional Center program, which is slated to expire June 30, will likely remain temporary now that the U.S. Senate blocked a proposed reauthorization and reform bill. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, yesterday brought up his EB-5... Read More »
HHS leads Puerto Rico hurricane preparedness exercise
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) personnel are touting the benefits of a Puerto Rico hurricane preparedness exercise. The ASPR indicated collaboration with the Department of Health of Puerto Rico would involve... Read More »
Rep. Carson introduces bill combating global white supremacist threat
U.S. Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) introduced legislation Tuesday that would uncover the threats posed by white supremacist groups both in America and abroad. Carson, chair of the House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and counterproliferation, said the groups threaten national... Read More »
Biden administration to invest $3B in COVID-19 antiviral development strategy
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that the Biden Administration would invest more than $3 billion from the American Rescue Plan to discover, develop, and manufacture antiviral COVID-19 medicines. The investment is part of the administration’s “whole of... Read More »
Bill initiates COVID-19-related China sanctions
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has introduced the COVID Act of 2021, authorizing sanctions against the Chinese Communist Party should it fail to allow a probe into the origins of COVID-19. The sanctions and restrictions would be applied 90 days after enactment concerning a probe of suspected... Read More »
Laredo AMO details migrant apprehension increase
Laredo Air Branch Air and Marine Operations (AMO) personnel have detailed how crew detection, surveillance and tracking operations experienced a 143 percent increase in migrant apprehensions. The Laredo Air Branch Air and Marine Operations (AMO) was involved in the apprehension of 12,400... Read More »
Medical, healthcare organizations press Congress to support $30B pandemic investments offered in American Jobs Plan
While Congress continues its debate of President Joe Biden’s proposed $2 trillion American Jobs Plan, 25 medical and healthcare stakeholder organizations are urging the legislators to support the $30 billion the plan would direct to prepare for future pandemics. In a letter to Congressional... Read More »
WHO support South African consortium to establish first COVID vaccine tech transfer hub
The World Health Organization (WHO) and its COVAX partners announced they are working with a South African consortium to establish a COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub. The consortium, comprising Biovac, Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, a network of African universities, and the Africa... Read More »
Legislation seeks to bolster nation’s wildfire policy
Three legislators recently introduced legislation designed to enhance national wildfire policy by establishing a commission of federal and non-federal stakeholders addressing prevention and mitigation. U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) in... Read More »
EB-5 Regional Center Program reauthorization: Will it happen this week?
With feet to fire, congressional lawmakers are feverishly working to get bipartisan, bicameral companion bills to reauthorize the EB-5 Regional Center Program ready for a U.S. Senate vote before the program’s June 30 expiration date. There isn’t much time left to get a final bill worked... Read More »
Lawmakers advocate full funding for Byrne JAG program
A group of 48 legislators forwarded correspondence last week calling for full Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program funding. The letter was sent to U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), respective chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,... Read More »
Bill targets law enforcement cybercrime prevention
U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently reintroduced a measure designed to provide law enforcement with resources to enhance cybercrime combating initiatives. The International Cybercrime Prevention Act would update... Read More »
Senators introduce bill to create U.S-Israel Artificial Intelligence R&D Center
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced legislation Thursday that would create a U.S.-Israel Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Center to further collaborate in AI and contribute to the field’s advancement.... Read More »
Sens. Merkley, Wyden introduce legislation banning government use of biometric technology
U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) led a group of eight lawmakers who introduced legislation this week banning federal agencies from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies. The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act would also prohibit the... Read More »
Bill seeks to bar Chinese military scientists from entering United States
A group of lawmakers recently reintroduced legislation they said would require the government to develop a list of scientific and engineering institutions affiliated with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tommy... Read More »
Lawmakers advocate bolstered education sector cybersecurity
Citing an increased number of cyberattacks, a pair of lawmakers are encouraging bolstered cybersecurity efforts for the K-12 education sector. U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Susan Collins (R-ME), a member of the Senate Intelligence... Read More »
Senate Pray Safe Act would provide faith-based organizations with safety info, federal grants
The Pray Safe Act, introduced to the U.S. Senate last week, represents a joint effort on the part of U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) to provide faith-based organizations and houses of worship with easy access to security best practices, federal grant programs, and... Read More »
American Rescue Plan allows more than $3B investment into COVID-19 antiviral development strategy
Utilizing funds provided for in the American Rescue Plan, the Biden Administration announced last week that it will invest more than $3 billion into the Antiviral Program for Pandemics, promoting the pursuit, development, and manufacturing of antivirals for COVID-19. That program will be run... Read More »
Rep. McCaul, Sen. Risch urge Biden administration to impose sanctions on Russia for Navalny poisoning
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Sen. James Risch (R-ID) called on President Joe Biden to immediately impose legally mandated sanctions against the Putin regime in a letter Wednesday. McCaul, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead and Risch, the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign... Read More »
Measure targets reduced dependence on foreign supply chain
A group of lawmakers recently reintroduced a bill they said is designed to make the nation's pharmaceutical supply chain less dependent on foreign countries like China. U.S. Reps. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA), Tom Rice (R-SC), Darren Soto (D-FL), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott... Read More »
Rep. Katko opposes Biden administration’s removal of sanctions on Iran
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY), ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, has expressed opposition to the Biden administration’s decision to lift Iranian sanctions. In recent correspondence to U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Katko detailed what he deemed... Read More »