The COVID-19 pandemic has hit a critical stage, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and as such, the $1.9 billion American Rescue Plan touted by the Biden Administration and advanced by the House last week represents a welcome boost.
“This legislation represents... Read More »
The Biden administration helped forge a deal between Merck and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to expand production of J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to help the company deliver 100 million doses by the end of May instead of its previous June goal.
The collaboration between the... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced legislation Monday aimed at examining terrorist attacks to prevent future ones.
The Reporting Efficiently to Proper Officials in Response to Terrorism (REPORT) Act would require federal agencies to report to Congress after a... Read More »
Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) said the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) allocated up to $2.4 million to help Ohio faith-based and nonprofit venues upgrade security.
The allotment would benefit synagogues, churches, religious education facilities, and charity... Read More »
A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collaboration with federal authorities recently resulted in the seizure of 1.7 tons of cocaine worth over $58 million.
The efforts of the agency's Air and Marine Operations (AMO) National Air Security Operations Center (NASOC) P-3 crews and those of federal... Read More »
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization Monday for the Quidel QuickVue At-Home COVID-19 Test.
An antigen test, QuickVue will allow users suspected of having COVID-19 by their healthcare provider within the first six days of symptom onset to quickly collect... Read More »
With the EB-5 Regional Center Program set to expire on June 30, a new coalition formed by Invest in the USA (IIUSA) will work to ensure it is reauthorized and reformed.
IIUSA, which is the nation’s sole non-profit trade association representing the EB-5 Regional Program, on March 1 launched... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) introduced a $163 billion bill to funds efforts to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.
The Crush The Virus Act (H.R. 1371) provides $163 billion in funding to increase the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines, boost access to COVID-19 testing throughout... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Richard Burr (R-NC) reintroduced legislation designed to improve communications networks during natural disasters Wednesday.
The Emergency Reporting Act would ensure the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provided resources to state and local governments... Read More »
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this week that undiluted frozen vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will now be allowed to be transported and stored at conventional pharmaceutical freezer temperatures for up to two weeks.
While the preferred storage for this... Read More »
Lawmakers representing the Committee on Oversight and Reform and Committee on Homeland Security recently conducted joint hearings to examine potential actions after cybersecurity incidents impacting government and private sector networks.
The panels detailed the supply chain attacks targeting... Read More »
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) said he is encouraging the Biden Administration to prioritize communication and clarify to Michiganders and Americans regarding continuing Northern border travel restrictions.
Peters, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, recently forwarded... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials are touting the release of the funding notice for eight different types of terrorism prevention and preparedness grants totaling almost $1.87 billion.
“In the almost 20 years since September 11, 2001, the terrorism threat landscape has changed... Read More »
Lawmakers said Orlando, Fla., has received $3.8 million in terror-prevention and preparedness grant funds via the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).
Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Val Demings (D-FL), and Darren Soto (D-FL) indicated the city's... Read More »
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is holding an advisory committee meeting on Friday during which the committee is expected to recommend a single-dose Johnson & Johnson (J&J)-Janssen Biotech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to become the third COVID-19 vaccine available for emergency use to... Read More »
A group of Senators introduced legislation supporting President Joe Biden’s efforts to rejoin the Iran Nuclear Deal, also called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The Iran Diplomacy Act Full says the United States and Iran should promptly return to full compliance with all of... Read More »
Legislation recently introduced in both houses of Congress seeks to improve the resiliency of communications networks during emergencies.
With extreme weather events on the rise, it is critical to engage the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help local governments prepare for and... Read More »
Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) recently introduced a bill that seeks to offer bolstered support to combat-wounded veterans.
The Major Richard Star Act would allow veterans wounded in combat with less than 20 years of... Read More »
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has introduced a bill designed to better protect firefighters in New York and nationwide from toxic exposure to PFAS chemicals.
PFAS are used as an ingredient in special foam used to fight fires, called aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). The use of the foam,... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation was introduced in this House of Representatives this week that would extend concealed carry privileges for qualified retired and active law enforcement officials.
The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act (H.R. 1210) would allow active and retired law... Read More »
A bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure that the U.S. strengthens partnerships with international allies to combat cyberattacks in a unified approach.
The Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2021 (H.R. 1251), sponsored by Michael McCaul (R-TX), would also advocate for the State... Read More »
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, seeking insight regarding the company’s alleged role in knowingly allowing extremist content and groups growth on its platform.
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Oversight... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) personnel said the agency is aiding the scientific community and government decision-makers in proactive African Swine Fever approaches.
“Just because a disease isn’t currently present in the United States,... Read More »
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) recently reintroduced three bills seeking to bolster the nation's borders, combat corruption and instability in Mexico and address the immigration court backlogs.
“President Biden’s immigration proposal grants amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants does not... Read More »
New guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released this week reaches out to medical product developers to address effective means of modifying various medical products to meet the threats posed by new variants of SARS-CoV-2.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has... Read More »
Five COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers assured Congress Tuesday that they are closely watching the emergence of new variants of COVID-19 and are optimistic the two vaccines currently approved in the United States and a third poised for approval will treat those new variants that have emerged in the... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) are urging President Joe Biden to add the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the Defense Production Act Committee (DPAC).
The DPAC advises the President on the most effective use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) are seeking answers from the Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) on intelligence sharing related to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The congressional inquiry comes after the Wall Street Journal... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently introduced a bill designed to codify into law the Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety as a means of bolstering school security efforts.
The Luke and Alex School Safety Act of 2021 would help inform parents and... Read More »
A bipartisan group of legislators is introducing a bill to investigate the Jan. 6 domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol and the federal government’s failure to respond to the threat of domestic terrorism over the past two decades.
The Commission on Domestic Terrorism Act of 2021 would... Read More »
Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) introduced legislation that seeks to prevent white supremacists and other domestic extremists from enlisting in the U.S. Military.
His bill – the Shielding Our Military from Extremists Act – comes after a Department of Defense (DoD) report that said white supremacist... Read More »
Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) has introduced five bills to address the Chinese Communist Party's malign influence.
Officials said the legislation, previously introduced by Green in the 116th Congress, includes the Bring American Companies Home Act, the Our Money in China Transparency Act, the Secure... Read More »
A public health emergency was declared in Texas this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Secretary Norris Cochran due to recent winter storms that left millions without power.
President Joe Biden had already declared an emergency in the state last week.... Read More »
With money appropriated by Congress last year, President Joe Biden pledged a total of $4 billion to the global COVAX initiative to get poorer nations access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The announcement, made during a virtual G7 Summit, also encouraged partners within that group of wealthy nations to... Read More »
Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have seized approximately 11 million counterfeit 3M N95 respirator masks in recent weeks.
The effort resulted from a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and manufacturer 3M.
“These seizures... Read More »