Policy
CBP implementing Super Bowl security initiatives
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said aircrews, agents and officers are supporting local, state, and federal efforts for a safe and secure Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Fla. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is working diligently to help secure Super Bowl LV through air and maritime... Read More »
FirstNet reviewing Tennessee subscriber outages following Nashville bombing
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) has been meeting with subscribers in the Nashville area and some surrounding areas that experienced outages after a Nashville bombing. The Dec. 25, 2020 bombing of a Nashville AT&T building did not impact FirstNet network infrastructure... Read More »
WHO’s first global assessment of health information systems shows need for data improvements
In its first-ever global assessment of country health information systems, released this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that while two-thirds of low-income countries have some form of system to report causes of death, there is a widespread need for improvement. This has been... Read More »
Democrats build case for bolstering vaccine distribution with Biden COVID relief bill
Members of the Democrat-controlled U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee argued Wednesday the Trump administration’s actions on COVID-19 were inadequate to bring the pandemic under control and only the massive expenditure being called for by President Joe Biden will be enough to defeat the... Read More »
Rep. Stauber introduces bill to fund better training for police officers
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) reintroduced legislation designed to fund better training for police officers. Further, the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act would increase the number of body cameras and provide grants to police departments to help... Read More »
UK government orders another 40 million doses of Valneva’s vaccine candidate
The UK Government has ordered 40 million more doses of Valneva’s adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine candidate for supply in 2022. This increases the total doses of the Valneva vaccine ordered by the UK Government to 100 million. Plus, the UK Government retains options for possibly a further 90... Read More »
DEA to expand Operation Crystal Shield
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced Thursday that it would be expanding its Operation Crystal Shield to include the cities of Chicago and San Francisco. DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Bell with the Chicago Field Division said the two cities have been designated... Read More »
Senate bill seeks to improve school safety
A bill that seeks to help schools improve security measures was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The Luke and Alex School Safety Act of 2021 would codify the Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety into law. The clearinghouse is available at SchoolSafety.gov and informs parents and educators on... Read More »
HSI addresses Super Bowl safety initiatives
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officials said the agency would be collaborating with federal, state, and local law enforcement to provide public safety efforts for Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida. “I am proud of the efforts of HSI Tampa, the National Intellectual Property Rights... Read More »
GAO offers COVID-19 response recommendations
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a series of recommendations regarding the federal COVID-19 response via the CARES Act, focusing on critical gaps and plans to address the gaps. The GAO indicated the agency's recommendation concerning the importance of clear and... Read More »
New Jersey Senate advances bill requiring naloxone prescription alongside opioid prescriptions
The New Jersey Senate has passed legislation that would require doctors to prescribe an opioid overdose antidote in conjunction with any opioids they prescribe for high-risk patients. The bill, S-2323, aims to reduce the number of opioid deaths in that state. “The opioid crisis continues... Read More »
Bipartisan bill seeks to restore full retirement benefits to federal first responders hurt on job
A bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress to ensure that federal firefighters, law enforcement officials, Border Patrol officers, and other federal first responders qualify for full retirement benefits if they are injured on the job. The First Responder Fair RETIRE Act addresses inequities... Read More »
Measure targets counterterrorism enhancement, extremism
House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX) reintroduced the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) Act (H.R. 567), which authorizes an interagency program to strengthen counterterrorism operations and while improving the coordination of assistance to address... Read More »
DHS puts out National Terrorism Advisory bulletin, warns of heightened threat environment
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin this week, citing a heightened threat environment across the United States that is likely to persist over the coming weeks. The acting DHS secretary issued the bulletin after consultation with... Read More »
Space Command relocation decision suspension sought
Colorado's congressional delegation is encouraging President Joe Biden to suspend the Trump administration's decision to move Space Command from Colorado Springs, Colo., to Huntsville, Ala., until a thorough review. On Jan. 13, the Air Force announced Huntsville would serve as the Space Command... Read More »
UAE, Marines complete defense-focused training
Marine Corps officials said the branch's completion of defense-focused training engagement in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with UAE forces enhances collective crisis response capability in the region. During the week-long initiative, two crisis response forces participated in live-fire... Read More »
Bill seeking to shut down international commercial wildlife markets introduced in Senate
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill that seeks to shut down international commercial wildlife markets. The Preventing Future Pandemics Act would direct the State Department to work with international partners to shut down commercial wildlife markets and stop the associated... Read More »
TSA details firearm catch rate at airport security checkpoints
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently indicated officers detected twice as many firearms per million passengers screened at airport security checkpoints nationwide in 2020 compared to 2019. “I commend our officers for their commitment to TSA’s security mission by... Read More »
Kinzinger, Kelly reintroduce legislation seeking to amend trafficking victim protections
Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) recently reintroduced a bill designed to amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, encouraging a victim-centered approach to combat human trafficking. The Reducing the Demand for Human Trafficking Act targets those who purchase or... Read More »
Global economy could lose $9.2T without equitable COVID vaccine distribution
According to a new study by the International Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation, the global economy stands to lose as much as $9.2 trillion if governments fail to ensure developing economy access to COVID-19 vaccines. The study demonstrates the economic case to invest in the Access to... Read More »
Nuclear Threat Initiative praises Biden plan to extend New START agreement with Russia
The Nuclear Threat Initiative applauded the Biden Administration for extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia for an additional five years. The New START agreement was reached in 2011 with Russia to reduce nuclear arms in both countries. The 10-year agreement was... Read More »
Reps. Spanberger, Katko introduce bill to combat online disinformation
U.S. Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and John Katko (R-NY) introduced a bill to protect against the influence of foreign actors that seek to sow political division through online disinformation campaigns. Foreign adversaries — such as Russia, China, and Iran -- continue to exploit existing... Read More »
Rep. Gottheimer advocates federal action against extremism, domestic terrorism
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) is advocating new federal action countering what he described as violent extremism and domestic terrorism after the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack. Gottheimer is encouraging the Biden Administration to restore the Office of Community Partnerships (OCP) within the... Read More »
Combating Global Corruption Act reintroduced in Senate
Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) have reintroduced a measure they said would make efforts to address global corruption a national security priority. The Combating Global Corruption Act would raise the profile of fighting international corruption noting the violation erodes trust and... Read More »
Democratic senators seek to tackle COVID-19 pandemic with new Health Force
U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Brian Schatz (D-HI), together with eight Democratic colleagues, introduced legislation last week that would create a Health Force to recruit, train and employ thousands to aid vaccine distribution. The Health Force would be tasked... Read More »
COVAX initiative secures agreement for up to 40 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
COVAX announced last week that a new purchase agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech will secure up to 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for rollout, offering the potential to deliver at least 2 billion doses of vaccines, equitably, by year’s end. “Today marks another milestone for COVAX:... Read More »
CISA releases resources to help organizations combat ransomware
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is launching an effort to encourage public and private sector organizations to implement best practices to mitigate ransomware risks. The Reduce the Risk of Ransomware Campaign will raise awareness about the importance of combating... Read More »
Sen. Baldwin backs plan to invoke Defense Production Act for COVID vaccines, supplies
President Joe Biden signed executive orders to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) to increase the production and stockpiling of vaccines, medical and testing supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE). The executive actions also boost public transparency and increase coordination... Read More »
Agreement bolsters U.S.-U.K. supply chain security
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said an agreement reached between the United States and the United Kingdom would strengthen supply chain security. “This arrangement will take U.S.-UK cooperation on supply chain security to the next level,” William A. Ferrara, executive... Read More »
Bill would create National Commission on U.S. Capitol attack
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has introduced a measure designed to create a national commission to provide a complete account of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The National Commission on the Insurrectionist Attack Upon the United States Capitol Act would also address preparedness and... Read More »
Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence opens in Stillwater
The Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence (OPCIE) officially opened in Stillwater, Okla., this week, presenting a new lab, genetic biorepository, and science lab to address public health concerns. The facility is meant to serve as a frontline of defense against future... Read More »
Global Health Security Act reintroduced to House to address U.S. global health needs
In an attempt to address U.S. global health security staffing and to provide a permanent designated official for coordinating interagency health response, 57 House members supported the reintroduction of the Global Health Security Act this week. Led by U.S. Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), president... Read More »
Sen. Portman secures commitment from Blinken to combat foreign disinformation
During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing this week, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) secured commitments from Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken to support the efforts of the Global Engagement Center (GEC) to combat disinformation and propaganda from foreign actors, like Russia and... Read More »
DOT’s Maritime Administration approves construction of National Security Multi-Mission Vessels
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) gave the go-ahead to build two additional National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV). These vessels will replace aging training vessels at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Me., and Texas A&M Maritime Academy in... Read More »