Policy
Bicameral bill proposes reforms for VA healthcare, benefits, and services
A triumvirate of Senate and House leaders introduced the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371) this week in a bid to reform and improve healthcare, benefits, and services for veterans, their families, and their survivors. It was... Read More »
House lawmakers press DoD to accelerate weapon deliveries, training for Ukraine
Amid ramped up assaults by Russian forces on Ukraine, a group of U.S. Congress members recently urged the Biden administration to hasten deliveries of resources to its Eastern European ally. “The Ukrainian people continue to demonstrate a strong willingness to resist Russian efforts to take... Read More »
DHS establishes Homeland Intelligence Advisory Council to oversee, advise
A new entity under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will advise it on homeland intelligence activities and issues, in the form of the Homeland Intelligence Advisory Board. Announced earlier this month, the Board will report to the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis,... Read More »
Eastern Shipbuilding Group announces Phase II for Nelson Street infrastructure projects
The second phase of work on Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s (ESG) Nelson Street government shipbuilding facility got underway in Florida this month, promising major infrastructure improvements to build up its abilities to construct and deliver ships. Meant to shore up the Department of... Read More »
Bipartisan Recruit and Retain Act to bolster U.S. police force heads for president’s signature
With its passage through the House last week, the Recruit and Retain Act (S. 546) is headed for President Joe Biden, bringing with it a possible expansion of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to back law enforcement recruitment efforts. Originally introduced in the... Read More »
House advances Israel Security Assistance Support Act
The House of Representatives last week voted through the Israel Security Assistance Support Act (H.R. 8369), which would restrict the president’s ability to withhold weapons transfers to Israel. “The Biden Administration’s decision to withhold weapons is catastrophic and goes directly... Read More »
Effort to equip female DHS officers with better tailored body armor advances through Senate committee
A bill from U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Katie Britt (R-AL) to get next generation body armor – better suited to its wearers – to the Department of Homeland Security’s(DHS) law enforcement personnel advanced swiftly out of committee last week. The senators introduced the DHS Better... Read More »
Bipartisan effort calls for details on foreign attempts to infiltrate U.S. military bases
A group of seven U.S. representatives recently wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a search for details on foreign adversaries’ attempts to spy on U.S. military bases. Led by U.S. Reps. Keith Self (R-TX) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), the members asked Austin to detail the number of... Read More »
House bill calls for AI task force within Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
As more governments and businesses seek what artificial intelligence (AI) can offer, U.S. Reps. Troy Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) want to make certain guardrails are in place through new legislation and a new federal task force. In the recently introduced Cybersecurity and... Read More »
Senators push to preserve procurement levels for attack submarines
A group of 14 U.S. senators recently called on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to maintain a two-per-year procurement of Virginia Class submarines for the sake of military dominance and industrial support. Signatories to a letter on the matter included Democrats and... Read More »
House advances appropriations for Coast Guard operations through 2026
In approving the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 7659), the House recently authorized funding for the service’s operations and recapitalization efforts in 2025 and 2026, among other measures. “The men and women of the Coast Guard deserve the support of this Congress in their... Read More »
Commerce Department blacklists 37 Chinese entities over quantum, spying concerns
The U.S. Commerce Department recently added 37 Chinese entities to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) trade restriction list, blacklisting them for a wide range of national security concerns. The reasons ranged from support for the spy balloon that flew over the United States last year,... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Peters and Britt propose modern, better-suited body armor for DHS personnel
In introducing the DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act (S. 4305) this month, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Katie Britt (R-AL) sought to equip the Department of Homeland Security’s law enforcement personnel with next generation body armor better fit to its wearers. “Our brave Department... Read More »
BIOSECURE Act would prohibit federal contracting with biotechnology firms of foreign adversaries
With China in mind, U.S. Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) recently introduced the BIOSECURE Act (H.R.8333) – a bill to make it illegal for the federal government to contract with the biotechnology companies of foreign adversaries. Pitched as a way to safeguard... Read More »
Fire Grants and Safety Act proposes new support for firefighter, first responder services
With approval from the House this week, the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S.870) seems set for signature by President Joe Biden, and would bring with it extended authorization for firefighter and first responder support nationwide. Sponsored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), the bill incorporated... Read More »
Shuffle at the Cyber Safety Review Board as four seats change hands
The Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), which is only two years old, announced a shakeup in membership this week, as four current members departed and were replaced by others. The Board was created in February 2022, following President Joe Biden's direction to improve U.S. cybersecurity. It is... Read More »
Dozens of federal lawmakers oppose Air Force proposal to reassign National Guard units out of governors’ authority
Opposition rose this week against a proposal from the U.S. Air Force within the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), over its push to transfer National Guard units performing space missions to the U.S. Space Force without governors’ approval. A group of 81 senators and... Read More »
New federal report connects emergency responders with non-detonable training aids for explosive detection dogs
In order to properly prepare working canines for explosives detection, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) released a new report to help emergency responders find non-detonable training aids. “The Detection Canine Program at S&T plays a critical... Read More »
Border Security and Enforcement Block Grant Act proposes federal grant funding for physical border barriers
Through new legislation, U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Mike Turner (R-OH) recently placed themselves at odds with the Biden administration by seeking to enable federal grant funding for states to create physical barriers at the southern border. A hallmark of the previous Trump... Read More »
Avian flu outbreak prompts Congressional request for interagency coordination
Fearing the potential behind a recent outbreak of avian flu (H5N1), 17 U.S. senators wrote to Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack this week urging a more coordinated approach between federal, public and state agencies. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... Read More »
Protect and Serve Act would elevate the harming or attempted harm of law enforcement to a federal crime
Following the deaths of four police officers while executing an arrest warrant in North Carolina last week, a group of U.S. senators introduced the Protect and Serve Act (S. 4258) to turn attempts to harm or successfully harming a law enforcement officer into a federal crime. Traditionally, such... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Steil, Dean introduce legislation to target human trafficking among other countries
As a way to crackdown on human trafficking, two U.S. representatives recently introduced the Exposing the Financing of Human Trafficking Act (H.R. 8185), which would authorize the United States to hold foreign countries accountable for related efforts targeting these criminal... Read More »
TSA publishes final rule on Flight Training Security Program improvements
For the first time since its creation in 2004, the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Flight Training Security Program is getting an overhaul. As published in the Federal Register this week, TSA plans to update the program for efficacy and efficiency, including the security threat... Read More »
SERVICE Act of 2024 seeks DOJ pilot program, grants for local veteran response teams
As a way to support veterans, U.S. Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Dale Strong (R-AL), Lou Correa (D-CA), and Glenn Ivey (D-MD) recently introduced legislation that would offer local law enforcement grants to create veteran response teams for use during emergencies. Cosponsored by 13... Read More »
DHS publishes guidelines for securing critical infrastructure and weapons against AI threats
Mere days after the Department of Homeland Security formed a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety and Security Board, it also released new guidelines for how to protect critical infrastructure and weapons of mass destruction against the threats posed by AI. The report followed six months... Read More »
Spectrum and National Security Act introduced to modernize spectrum policy, revamp FCC authority
In a bid to update federal spectrum and communications network policy, restore the auction authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and push technological investments, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) recently introduced the Spectrum and National Security Act. Pitching the bill as... Read More »
National security upgrades, pay raises and more pushed in Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act
Members of Congress recently paraded a mix of recommended updates to benefit military service members as part of the new Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act (H.R. 8070) – and it is set to serve as the base for the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill... Read More »
Embattled TikTok in jeopardy as President Biden signs legislative ban
The ByteDance-owned TikTok faces an uphill battle in the United States after President Joe Biden signed a law this week forcing it to sell to a U.S. company or be banned outright. Biden’s signature was the final stroke needed to pass the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled... Read More »
Reward offered for Iranian nationals charged over multi-year cyber campaign against U.S. companies
In unsealing a 13-page indictment this week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed charges against four Iranian nationals for their alleged involvement in a hacking campaign against the U.S. government and private companies. The defendants remain at large and the United States has... Read More »
FEND OFF Fentanyl Act included in national security supplemental
A bill targeting the illicit fentanyl supply chain, the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, S.1271, recently advanced through the U.S. Senate as part of the national security supplemental. If ultimately approved, the legislation from bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tim... Read More »
DoD innovative technologies pilot funds 13 additional projects
For the next round of participants in a pilot program to Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced 13 projects will receive funding. Helmed by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and... Read More »
House advances aid for Ukraine, Israel and defense manufacturing after weeks of doubt
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a $95 billion package (H.R.815) over the weekend that will include aid for Ukraine and Israel, and billions in support for the domestic defense industrial base. The Ukraine portion of the bill passed 311-112, with one vote as simply present, but it,... Read More »
Ammunition Supply Chain Act proposes mandated reporting on materials key to U.S. ammunition manufacturing
Under a new bill – the Ammunition Supply Chain Act – proposed in the House by U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) and in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), the U.S. Army would need to prepare a thorough report on the supply chain of ammunition manufacturing. “As threats to our nation’s... Read More »
Restoring American Deterrence Act seeks nuclear overhauls to deter China and Russia
Focused on China and Russia as the combined threats of the present and future, a group of senators recently introduced the Restoring American Deterrence Act to revise United States nuclear preparedness and update deterrence strategies. The bill was based on recommendations from the Congressional... Read More »