Policy
Biden announces federal goal of 70 percent vaccination rate for U.S. adult population by July 4
President Joe Biden announced Tuesday a new federal goal to get at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot in 70 percent of the U.S. adult population and 160 million adults fully vaccinated by July 4, 2021. Accessibility is the main focus in the next leg of the vaccination effort. To that end, the... Read More »
Raytheon secures airport security screening agreement
Raytheon Intelligence & Space has secured a five-year, $318 million Transportation Security Administration (TSA) contract to expand checked baggage screening equipment deployment at federally managed airports. Raytheon Intelligence & Space is a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies and previously... Read More »
Bill bolsters first responder injury, death benefits
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) recently reintroduced a measure they said would enhance benefits for first responders injured or killed in the line of duty and their families. The Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021 would improve the Department of... Read More »
Pfizer pledges more than $70M worth of medicines to India amid COVID-19 crisis
Responding to the spiraling COVID-19 situation in India, Pfizer Inc. announced this week that it will provide more than $70 million worth of medicines to the country immediately, with assistance from government and non-governmental organization partners. “We are donating enough medicines to... Read More »
Sens. Portman, Cortez Masto introduce bill to combat Chinese influence on technology standards
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced legislation to ensure the United States is positioned to lead international standards-setting Thursday. The bill would counter the Chinese government's influence and work to protect American jobs. Specifically, the... Read More »
Rep. Katko to steer American Security Task Force
Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said Rep. John Katko (R-NY), ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, has been chosen to lead the American Security Task Force. “Bolstering our nation’s security is an integral part of Republicans’ legislative plan for when we win... Read More »
Rep. Higgins advocates northern border family unification
Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) has issued an appeal to expand the definition of essential traveler related to the northern border, citing the need to allow families to reunite. Higgins, co-chair of the Congressional Northern Border Caucus, recently spoke with Department of Homeland Security (DHS)... Read More »
DHS halts redirection of funds for US-Mexico border barrier projects, seeks to repair construction-caused damages
While the Biden administration still intends to pursue some form of the Southern Border wall, the redirection of any funding from other federal agencies for border barrier projects has been terminated. Declaring that the Trump administration’s previous border wall construction efforts created... Read More »
Reps. Fitzpatrick, Pascrell lead coalition demanding funding of police bulletproof vests
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) join 26 members of the House to seek federal funding of the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Program. The grant program would provide $30 million in FY 2022 to help state and local law enforcement purchase... Read More »Bipartisan group of U.S. representatives support police funding initiative
A group of lawmakers recently requested increased funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. U.S. Reps. John Rutherford (R-FL) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), co-chairs of the House Law... Read More »
U.S. senators request GAO review of wildlands firefighter workforce
A group of senators recently requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) assess federal firefighter hiring and retention at five agencies responsible for wildland fire management. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in forwarding correspondence to... Read More »
More than 60 U.S. lawmakers urge House appropriators for more funds to address antimicrobial resistance
In a call backed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), a bipartisan collection of more than 60 United States representatives wrote to House appropriators last week, asking for increased federal resources to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistant (AMR)... Read More »
NIH to invest another $29M in grants for COVID-19 research, outreach and treatment
Recognizing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on certain communities, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced last week that it will fund an additional $29 million of grants for the NIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities. Supported by the American... Read More »
U.S. House lawmakers introduce bipartisan EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act
Two members of Congress this week introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and improve oversight of the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the federal job-creation and economic development program set to expire June 30. “The reauthorization of the EB-5 program is critical to our nation’s... Read More »
Council on Strategic Risks urges federal support for defense program combating biological threats
When Ebola was a low priority for the private sector, the Department of Defense (DOD) was one of the few organizations that funded early-stage research and development on vaccines and treatments. The division of the DoD that played a critical role in that research was the Chemical and Biological... Read More »
Senators introduce SHIPYARD Act to support National Defense Infrastructure
U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), along with Reps. Rob Wittman (R-VA), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI), introduced legislation that would address infrastructure needs to support the U.S. Navy. The legislation,... Read More »
Lawmakers seek expanded global COVID-19 vaccine access
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to the three companies producing COVID-19 vaccines, seeking their plans to expand COVID-19 vaccines access globally. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), and Christopher S.... Read More »
Bill seeks to bolster nationwide cybersecurity
Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) joined Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA) introduced this week the Civilian Cyber Security Reserve Act, which seeks to bolster nationwide cybersecurity efforts. The lawmakers noted the bill would establish a pilot Civilian... Read More »
Cybercrime sees major spike during COVID-19 pandemic, according to new BAE Systems report
A new report, the COVID CRIME INDEX 2021 REPORT, compiled by BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, found that cybercrime has experienced a massive uptick of 74 percent among banks and insurers alike since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The data, which focused on financial institutions and their... Read More »
Former CDC director argues for technical, operational and political approach to combat future pandemics
While the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the dangers of ill-prepared public health initiatives, a new case study-based report from the global Resolve to Save Lives initiative and its president and CEO Dr. Tom Frieden highlights the numerous ways that governments can invest in and prioritize... Read More »
DHS extends deadline for enforcement on REAL ID
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced Tuesday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be extending the full enforcement date for the REAL ID to May 3, 2023. Due to the pandemic’s significant impact on state abilities to issue REAL ID-compliant driver’s... Read More »
DHS unveils new anti-smuggling initiative
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a new anti-smuggling initiative the agency said focuses on transnational criminal organizations affiliated with the smuggling of migrants. Authorities indicated Operation Sentinel is a collaborative effort with Customs and Border... Read More »
Merck announces voluntary licensing agreements with five Indian generics manufacturers to boost access to COVID-19 therapeutic
Merck has reached voluntary licensing agreements with five Indian generics manufacturers to produce molnupiravir for the COVID-stricken nation, granting it another oral therapeutic to aid the COVID-19 pandemic. While molnupiravir is currently being studied in a phase three trial to treat... Read More »
DOJ releases $58M to combat Illicit drugs, improve officer wellness
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has released approximately $58 million in grant solicitations to advance community policing, combat opioid and methamphetamine use, and promote the health and safety of law... Read More »
DHS initiates internal review addressing threat of domestic violent extremism
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated an internal review to identify, address, and prevent the threat of domestic violent extremism. “Domestic violent extremism poses the most lethal and persistent terrorism-related threat to our country today,” Secretary of Homeland... Read More »
Legislation seeks to bolster antibiotics supply chain
Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) recently introduced a measure designed to bolster the domestic antibiotics supply chain and address antibiotic resistance threats. The Onshoring Essential Antibiotics Act would provide $500 million in grants to build and improve manufacturing... Read More »
United States to dispatch vaccines for overwhelmed India as COVID-19 crisis deepens
After days of pressure on the U.S. government to respond with aid for the surging COVID-19 crisis in India, an arrangement is underway that will see the deployment of vaccines in the coming weeks, as well as health advisors, raw materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), and funding.... Read More »
Legislation targets enhanced cyberattack resources
Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced last week a bill designed to bolster cyberattack resources and better coordination for serious breaches risking domestic safety and security. The Cyber Response and Recovery Act would help to improve the federal response to cyber... Read More »
Bill encourages domestic PPE production
Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) recently reintroduced a measure they said is designed to bolster domestic personal protective equipment (PPE) production. The Make PPE in America Act would enhance efforts to onshore production of personal protective equipment (PPE), hereby... Read More »
EB-5 Program integrity reforms, transparency would reduce fraud
A $12.5 million fraud case filed earlier this year against the San Jose, Calif.-based Golden State Regional Center is yet another example of fraud running rampant in the federal EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and underscores the need for integrity reforms and transparency, sources say. The... Read More »
Reps. DeFazio, Larsen introduce Healthy Flights Act
U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Rick Larsen (D-WA), chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation, joined 15 of their colleagues in introducing the Health Flights Act of 2021 on Thursday. The legislation would create a set of... Read More »
Bill addresses migrant influx at southern border
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a measure designed to respond to the migrant influx at the southern border. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) joined Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX) in introducing the Bipartisan Border Solutions Act, maintaining the... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Portman, Peters introduce bill to demand long-term contracts for American-made PPE
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced legislation last week that would strengthen domestic manufacturing efforts, particularly for personal protective equipment (PPE) leased through long-term Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contracts. The pair, who represent the Ranking... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Warren, Rubio reintroduce legislation enforcing study of pharmaceutical supply chain’s reliance on foreign countries
U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) reintroduced last week the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Review Act to demand a study of the nation’s reliance on foreign nations for the pharmaceutical supply chain. The bill would require a study produced by the Federal Trade... Read More »