Policy
CBP operation yields seizure of nearly two tons of cocaine
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel joined forces with military entities to successfully recover approximately 1.9 tons of cocaine and disrupted a Caribbean smuggling attempt. The Air and Marine Operations (AMO) National Air Security Operations Center—Jacksonville (NASOC—J) P-3... Read More »
Damage to communications grid in Nashville bombing prompts questions of preparedness
The violent suicide bombing that rocked downtown Nashville, Tenn., on Christmas morning and devastated dozens of businesses in the area also exposed the difficulties with an American reliance on reactive, rather than proactive, emergency planning efforts. While much focus has been placed on... Read More »
House committee leaders seek briefing from FBI on Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol
Leaders of five House committees are seeking an immediate briefing with the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on its efforts to investigate the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol that led to five deaths. “We write to request an immediate and urgent briefing on the steps the... Read More »
HHS establishes temporary COVID-19 treatment center in Tucson
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Tucson Medical Center (TMC) began administering monoclonal antibody therapeutic treatments last week. The treatments were given at a temporary COVID-19 infusion center in Tucson. It is just the second federally supported infusion center... Read More »
NIH director: COVID-19 herd immunity requires more vaccinated Americans
At least 80 percent to 85 percent of Americans should receive the COVID-19 vaccine for the country to reach herd immunity, said National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins in a Jan. 6 interview with the Washington Post. “Herd immunity requires the majority of a population to be... Read More »
CDC to provide $22B in support for expanded response efforts to COVID-19 pandemic
Before Jan. 19, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will release more than $22 billion in funding to support states, localities, and territories grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic through a mix of expanded testing and vaccination distribution efforts. "This funding is... Read More »
National Security Council launches task force to investigate Solar Winds cyberattack
The National Security Council staff has launched a task force to coordinate the investigation and remediation of the recent Solar Winds cyberattack involving federal government networks. The task force -- called the Cyber Unified Coordination Group (UCG) -- is composed of representatives from... Read More »
Sen. Durbin urges rural EMS agencies to apply for SIREN Act funds
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is encouraging communities to apply for Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act funds in support of fire and emergency medical services (EMS). “In many small and rural towns in Illinois and across the country, rural fire and EMS agencies are a lifeline in... Read More »
IDSA president, HIV Medicine Association chair call on US government to immediately address impediments to COVID-19 vaccine access
Dr. Barbara Alexander, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and Dr. Rajesh Gandhi, chair of the HIV Medicine Association, called this week for swift action to overcome the hurdles slowing COVID-19 vaccine access and efforts to counter the raging pandemic. “To address... Read More »
DHS conducts tests that show facial recognition technologies could work with masks
Tests conducted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) showed promising results that facial recognition technologies can accurately identify individuals wearing protective face masks. The tests were conducted as part of S&T’s 2020 Biometric... Read More »
Reps. Spanberger, Katko introduce bill to better prepare for pandemics, other threats
U.S. Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and John Katko (R-NY) introduced a bill to enhance the nation’s readiness to prepare for and respond to public safety and national security threats – including pandemics. Their bill -- the Analyzing Disaster Vulnerabilities and Applicable National... Read More »
TSA report shows dramatic changes in checkpoint operations due to COVID-19 pandemic
A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) report assessing the 2020 calendar year detailed the implementation of modifications across more than 440 federalized airports nationwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020, the agency screened a total of approximately 324... Read More »
Sandia National Laboratories names McGill new deputy labs director
Laura McGill has been named Sandia National Laboratories deputy labs director and will lead its nuclear deterrence programs to support safety, security, and reliability excellence. “I’m honored to join Sandia Labs and the tradition of serving the national security mission,” McGill said.... Read More »
Bill designed to reduce military training accidents signed into law
Legislation designed to reduce military training accidents was signed into law last week. The bill’s sponsor, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), attached the measure to this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It requires the Department of Defense to examine emergency response... Read More »
Reps. Fitzpatrick, Gottheimer introduce bill to restrict online terrorism
U.S. Reps Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced a bill requiring the regular disclosure of the presence of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations on social media websites. Further, the bill, the Online Terrorism Prevention Act (H.R.9043), would impose financial and... Read More »
Congress votes to override President Trump’s veto of National Defense Authorization Act
In a rare New Year’s Day session, the Senate voted to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), setting aside his concerns in favor of pay and benefits for the armed forces. “The NDAA provides vital support for our men and women in... Read More »
Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine first to gain WHO emergency use validation
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued emergency use validation for the Pfizer/BioNTech Comirnaty mRNA vaccine last week, ending 2020 by issuing the first such validation for a COVID-19 vaccine. The global organization’s declaration will allow countries to expedite their regulatory... Read More »
Anti-Defamation League partners with CSI to improve security for Jewish communities in NYC
The American Defamation League’s (ADL) Center on Extremism is partnering with the Community Security Initiative (CSI) to focus on the security needs of the Jewish communities of greater New York City. The initiative responds to a series of violent attacks in the Jewish communities of Jersey... Read More »
Marine’s to equip rifles with suppressors to enhance lethality, protect soldiers
The Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) is equipping infantry, reconnaissance, and special operation units with suppressors for use on the M27, M4, and M4A1 rifles. Small arms suppressors are designed to reduce a weapon’s noise, flash, and recoil – and they only take seconds to attach and... Read More »
ICE No Safe Haven Plus initiative yields nationwide arrests
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said the nationwide Operation No Safe Haven Plus resulted in 18 foreign nationals sought for human rights violations or human smuggling and trafficking activity being arrested. “These arrests are a critical piece of our ongoing mission to... Read More »
Rep. Jim Clyburn to continue leading Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis in 117th Congress
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced this week that the Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis will continue into the new year and the 117th Congress, still under the leadership of Chairman and Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC). The subcommittee has been running since April 23, 2020. In the months... Read More »
Phase 3 clinical trial data confirms efficacy of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
A peer-reviewed report chronicling the phase three trial data of mRNA-1273, Moderna, Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine, was released in the New England Journal of Medicine last week and confirmed its 94.1 percent efficacy in preventing COVID-19. Distribution of the vaccine has already begun in the... Read More »
US signs Asylum Cooperation Agreement (ACA) with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras
The nations of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras have all signed the Asylum Cooperation Agreement (ACA) with the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced. In 2019, more than 71 percent of migrants apprehended at the U.S. Southwest border came from El Salvador,... Read More »
Colorado State Lab confirms first case of UK COVID-19 variant in United States
The first U.S. case of a new strain of COVID-19 that originated in the U.K. has been confirmed in Colorado’s Elbert County, according to the Colorado State Laboratory. The variant has cropped up in numerous locations throughout the world since its recent discovery -- and rapid spread -- in the... Read More »
Congress passes REAL ID Modernization Act
The U.S. Congress has passed the REAL ID Modernization Act, which updates identification requirements set 15 years ago by the 9/11 Commission. “This new law marks another important step toward meeting the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations to close dangerous vulnerabilities to terrorist... Read More »
Bill to help local governments thwart cyberthreats signed into law
A provision to encourage local governments to adopt the .gov domain for websites and email accounts was signed into law as a part of the year-end omnibus funding bill. The provision was originally introduced as the DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act. It directs the Department of Homeland of... Read More »
Lockheed Martin touts F-35 aircraft delivery initiatives
Lockheed Martin personnel are touting the company's ability to produce and deliver F-35 aircraft amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm recently delivered the 123rd F-35 aircraft of the year. In 2020, 74 F-35s were delivered to the U.S. military, 31 to international partner nations, and 18 to... Read More »
Yuma Sector Border Patrol names new chief patrol agent
Chris T. Clem has been named Yuma Sector’s Chief Patrol Agent, bringing 25 years of Border Patrol experience to the post. Authorities noted Clem’s career includes a variety of leadership roles involving serving as senior patrol agent, supervisory border patrol agent, field operations... Read More »
National Nuclear Security Administration submits 2021 stockpile stewardship, management plan to Congress
The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) delivered its 2021 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan (SSMP) to Congress this week, laying out a specific path to producing 80 plutonium pits annually and delivering first-time production units for various programs. The... Read More »International law enforcement officials take down VPN used by cybercriminals
Law enforcement officials in the United States and worldwide have taken down a virtual private network (VPN) called “Operation Nova” that had been allegedly assisting cybercriminals. United States Attorney Matthew Schneider said the investigation revealed three domains— INSORG.ORG;... Read More »
Rep. Maloney, Sen. Markey applaud inclusion of funding for gun violence research
U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) applauded the inclusion of $25 million in the 2021 budget federal gun violence prevention research. It builds on $25 million in funding inlude3d in the budget last year for research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention.... Read More »
ICE notes operational successes in 2020 annual report
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials noted operational successes within its fiscal year 2020 annual report, focusing on immigration laws enforcement and customs and immigration violation investigations. “The men and women who represent ICE have risen to the challenges presented... Read More »
Northrop Grumman secures Navy vehicles contract
Navy officials said the service branch has awarded a $57 million award potentially worth up to $250 million to Northrop Grumman to produce Coyote supersonic sea-skimming target (SSST) vehicles. The initial 19 vehicles could result in an additional 84 target vehicles, bringing the GQM-163A... Read More »
US Justice Department sues Walmart over opioids
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it had filed suit against Walmart for its part in the opioid epidemic. According to the complaint filed in federal court, the DOJ alleges that Walmart Inc. unlawfully dispensed opioids from its pharmacies across the country, resulting in... Read More »