Policy
DARPA’s Semantic Forensics program reaches final stage, promising commercialization of deepfake defense
As a result of the Semantic Forensics (SemaFor) program, DARPA recently reported that defense technology to help against manipulated media may be ready for commercialization. “Our investments have seeded an opportunity space that is timely, necessary, and poised to grow,” Dr. Wil Corvey,... Read More »
House advances bill to force sale of or effectively ban TikTok in major bipartisan vote
The U.S. House recently passed H.R. 7521, a significant bipartisan bill that seeks to to prevent foreign adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), from targeting, surveilling, and manipulating the American people through applications such as TikTok. Specifically, H.R. 7521 – the... Read More »
Congress passes bipartisan one deadline bill for FEMA Disaster Assistance Programs
Following passage by the Senate last year, the House this week voted through the Disaster Assistance Deadlines Alignment Act (H.R. 7568), meaning that all Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance program deadlines could soon solidify into one. If approved by President Joe Biden,... Read More »
Bill to further empower tribal law enforcement advanced through House Committee
The U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources this week advanced Rep. Dan Newhouse’s (R-WA) Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act (H.R. 4524), which seeks to empower tribal officers with the reach of federal law enforcement. “This legislation is key in improving hiring and retention among... Read More »
World’s largest crane manufacturer faces Congressional investigation over Chinese access to U.S. critical infrastructure
House Homeland Security Committee leaders sent a letter to the global crane manufacturer Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) this week following a joint investigation that found communication equipment on Chinese-made cranes used at American ports. “Over the course of our eight-month... Read More »
Agricultural Risk Review Act becomes law, guaranteeing place for agriculture secretary in Committee on Foreign Investment
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will be a permanent member of the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) in the United States, thanks to passage of the Agricultural Risk Review Act (H.R. 3378) as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. As a part of the committee, the secretary would be... Read More »
DHS to set up wildfire, wind sensors across Hawaii
In an effort to mitigate and manage wildfires in the Hawaiian islands, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) plan to deploy 80 wildfire sensors and 16 wind sensors throughout the state. Earlier detection and alerts are the focus of the push, which was in... Read More »
END Fentanyl Act headed for president’s signature, with policy updates promised for CBP
After passing its final hurdles in the U.S. House, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s (R-FL) Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of Life (END FENTANYL) Act is headed for review by President Joe Biden. If signed into law, the bill – S.206 –... Read More »
House Science Committee leaders question DoD for lack of concerns over science-based emissions reduction rule
Republican leaders of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee recently called on the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to explain its silence over a Biden administration-proposed emissions rule they denounced for alleged national security concerns. In January, the committee released a... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection extends direct-hire authority for 200 air interdiction agents to 2026
Expedited hiring authority is in place for the induction of 200 air interdiction agents by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and recently, that authority was extended through Jan. 30, 2026. The position is open to pilots with a minimum of 1,500 flight hours, including 250 as... Read More »
Sens. Rounds, Thune seek GAO inquiry into tribal law enforcement budget and reservation crime
South Dakota’s Republican senators recently called on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to look into tribal law enforcement funding and any correlation with surges in crime on reservations, with a specific look at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). “In the last two years, tribal... Read More »
MOVE Act introduced in bid to secure supply chains during emergencies
In a bipartisan move, U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Jim Costa (D-CA) recently introduced the Modernizing Operations for Vehicles in Emergencies (MOVE) Act to expand timeframes for federal emergency declarations and more to support emergency supply chain needs. “During times of emergency... Read More »
Democratic senators call on President Biden to continue stressing border security in next budget request
Undeterred by previous failures to advance border security measures in Congress, a group of Democratic senators recently pressed President Joe Biden to prioritize border security and fentanyl crackdowns in his Fiscal Year 2025 budget request. While a national security package with border... Read More »
Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act proposes tax-free bonds for spaceports
A group of congressmen and senators recently introduced the Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act of 2024, proposing amendments to the country’s tax code to give spaceports access to tax-free bonds. Meant to keep the U.S. competitive in the latest space race, as China and Russia, in particular,... Read More »
Calif. start-up Fuse wins Air Force SBIR contract to lower nuclear effects testing costs
Fuse, a California-based startup focused on fusion power, won an AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract recently, setting up a collaboration with the U.S. Air Force to lower costs associated with nuclear effects testing. “Economic security and national security go... Read More »
SECURE IT Act introduced in search for ways to secure U.S. election infrastructure
U.S. Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and David Valadao (R-CA) introduced the SECURE IT Act in the House this week, promoting required, simulated attacks on voting systems as part of their certification process to improve security. “We continue to hear reports of foreign governments,... Read More »
DEA warns e-commerce companies over sales of pill presses
With the danger posed by illicit fentanyl at the forefront of concerns for drug regulators, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently wrote to e-commerce companies collectively warning them about the legal dangers of selling pill presses. These presses, the agency alleged, have... Read More »
House leadership lauds Biden administration’s decision to invest in domestic crane manufacturing, security
In a joint statement, House chairmen and U.S. Reps. Mark Green, MD (R-NTN), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), August Pfluger (R-TX), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) praised the recent White House decision to invest in the domestic manufacturing of port cranes and maritime security. Although more often locking... Read More »
Senators raise concerns about proposed global pandemic accord for its weakening of IP protections
In a letter to United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, a group of senators voiced concern over a proposed global accord by the World Health Organization (WHO) that seeks to aid pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. However, the lawmakers argued that it could also weaken... Read More »
Representatives seek data on underground smuggling tunnels in Subterranean Border Defense Act
U.S. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) introduced this week border security legislation that seeks to focus on countering underground smuggling tunnels. The Subterranean Border Defense Act (H.R.7404) would specifically push for annual reports to Congress on efforts made to counteract illicit cross-border... Read More »
United States, U.K. take down international LockBit ransomware group
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that, together with the United Kingdom, it had successfully disrupted the LockBit ransomware group, seizing its infrastructure and developing decryption capabilities for its software. The group has reportedly targeted more than 2,000... Read More »
House Armed Services and Quality of Life Panel leaders urge Biden to support service member quality of life in next budget
A letter dispatched to President Joe Biden this month by leaders of the House Armed Services and Quality of Life Panel urged him to back quality of life improvements for service members and their families in the White House’s FY 2025 Department of Defense (DoD) Budget request. Signatories... Read More »
House Homeland Security committee, federal agencies hold classified briefing focused on TikTok
Security concerns regarding TikTok, which have passed in and out of Congress for years, surged back into focus again recently as the House Committee on Homeland Security gathered federal agencies for a classified briefing on the Chinese firm-owned app. In a meeting led by U.S. Rep. August... Read More »
Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act proposes border changes, appropriations for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
With the introduction of the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act recently, a bipartisan mix of representatives are pushing for year-long authorities to secure the United States-Mexico border and provide $66.32 billion for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. This latest attempt to both solve... Read More »
Sens. Duckworth, Blackburn press for improvements to emergency communication technology
Through introduction of the ITS Codification Act (S. 3781) earlier this month, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sought to codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) and improve the nation’s emergency communication technology. “It’s critical that... Read More »
GRACE Act proposes expanding VA loan program to connect more military families with homes
The VA Home Loan Guaranty Resiliency and Concurrency Enhancement (GRACE) Act (H.R. 7388) was recently introduced to the House as a way to help military families buy homes at new duty stations, easing their transition periods during relocation. Affordable housing has grown increasingly difficult... Read More »
Discussion draft of ONSHORE Manufacturing Act proposes incentives for domestic battlefield medicine, device manufacturing
U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) released this week a discussion draft of a new bill known as the ONSHORE Manufacturing Act, which proposes incentives to encourage domestic manufacturing of critical battlefield medicines and devices. ONSHORE, which stands for the Our Nation’s Supply chain for... Read More »
Amended Afghan Adjustment Act would grant permanent residence pathway to Afghan refugees
Through a foreign aid supplemental package based on the Afghan Adjustment Act, a bipartisan collective of senators recently proposed creating a permanent residency path for those who supported the United States in Afghanistan and have since sought refuge after the Taliban return to... Read More »
Republican bill proposes death penalty or life sentences for killing police officers
Through the Fallen Law Enforcement Act introduced this week, U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and John Cornyn (R-TX) seek to strengthen penalties for attacks on law enforcement across the board. The bill would require death penalties or life imprisonment imposed on anyone... Read More »
International effort results in cybercrime charges, seizure of internet domains used to sell malware
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in collaboration with international law enforcement organizations, recently announced the seizure of internet domains used to sell malware and a pair of indictments lodged against individuals in Malta and Nigeria. Federal authorities in Boston seized four... Read More »
USCIS processed a record 10 million immigration cases in 2023, successfully cut backlog
For the first time in more than a decade, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) managed to reduce its backlog of immigration cases in 2023, pushing hard to complete an unprecedented 10 million cases over the course of the fiscal year. The agency faced down two record issues at the... Read More »
Armed Services Committee members urge President Biden to rethink plans for military’s communication airwaves
An upcoming plan by the Biden administration could see the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) give up communication airwaves typically reserved for military operations, but recently, three senators from the Armed Services Committee pushed back on those plans. The senators, who included U.S. Sens.... Read More »
DETECT Act seeks cybersecurity guidelines for federal usage of drones
With their recent introduction of the Drone Evaluation to Eliminate Cyber Threats Act of 2024 (DETECT Act), U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and John Thune (R-SD) seek to direct the development of cybersecurity guidelines for the federal government’s use of drones. “Drones and unmanned systems... Read More »
Bill to improve federal building security advances to Senate floor
Overcoming its first hurdle, the Improving Federal Building Security Act (S.3613) passed out of committee this week, putting its ideas of timely improvements for federal buildings into consideration by the full Senate. Earlier, the Federal Protective Service (FPS) issued recommendations on... Read More »