Policy
Republican Congressmen introduce bill to reinforce border, transportation and cybersecurity
With the introduction of the Commitment to American Security Act (H.R. 13), U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Pete Stauber (R-MN) seek to bolster technology and manpower for security operations across various federal government aspects. “This bill will secure our southern border, strengthen... Read More »
Sens. Van Hollen, Young urge Trump to extend New START arms agreement with Russia
U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Todd Young (R-IN) are urging the Trump Administration to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia. The senators said it's vital to preserve the New START agreement for national security and nuclear stability with Russia.... Read More »
Rep. Katko introduces bill to restore axed DHS program to assess impact of pandemics on critical infrastructure
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) introduced legislation to restore a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program designed to assess a pandemic's potential implications on critical infrastructure. The bipartisan Analyzing Disaster Vulnerabilities and Applicable National Capabilities for... Read More »
Congressional lawmakers urge leadership top develop pandemic policy plans
A group of Congressional lawmakers recently urged House and Senate leadership to develop policy plans to prevent and mitigate the impact of future pandemics. In a letter signed by 134 senators and members of the House, the lawmakers pointed out that the United States leads the world with more... Read More »
Michigan system tracks opioid overdoses in real time, shows rise after COVID-19 arrival
A Michigan system that tracks suspected opioid deaths and naloxone use by first responders gives a better picture of how opioid overdoses rose after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The real-time tracking system developed by the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center (IPC), in... Read More »
NTI touts ratification of Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) said the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) has been ratified by 50 nations and will enter into force early next year. The initiative serves as a call to action, accelerating progression to a world without nuclear weapons. NTI CEO Ernest J.... Read More »
COVID-19 vaccine chiefs eye January launch
Leaders of the effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine said Tuesday more than 60,000 Americans have volunteered to participate in clinical trials at six different pharma companies with the goal to begin distributing a vaccine by January. Operation Warp Speed, created by the Trump administration... Read More »
US-Mexico law enforcement arrest two for lasing an aircraft near border
Law enforcement authorities in the United States and Mexico are seeking to identify individuals lasing aircraft along the U.S.-Mexico border from Del Rio, Texas/Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila to Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras. During multiple evening operations earlier in October, aircraft operated by the... Read More »
Rep. McKinley: Congress must continue to combat opioid crisis
On the second anniversary of the passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Community Act, U.S. Representative David B. McKinley (R-WV) urged fellow legislators not to overlook the opioid crisis facing the country during the Covid-19 epidemic. On Friday, McKinley said that Congress must continue... Read More »
Sens. Markey, Merkley introduce SAUDI WMD Act
U.S. Sens. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced legislation that seeks to restore oversight of Saudi Arabia’s nuclear capabilities and impede access to technologies that could pave the way to Saudi Arabia’s first nuclear weapon. The Stopping Activities Underpinning... Read More »
Florida Reps. Murphy, Waltz request more information on Russia and Iran hacking
U.S. Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Michael Waltz (R-FL) are seeking a briefing from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Director of National Intelligence, and the Attorney General on Russian and Iranian interference in the 2020 election. The request follows an announcement last week by FBI... Read More »
National Guard wildfire readiness assessment sought
A group of lawmakers is seeking the National Guard’s assessment of wildfire readiness as a means of aiding states in preparing, fighting, and recovering from such occurrences. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) recently joined... Read More »
Republicans introduce China Task Force Act in House
U.S. Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY), Michael McCaul (R-TX) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) introduced the China Task Force Act, which includes bills and recommendations laid out by the House China Task Force (CTF) to combat economic, military, political and technological threats from China.... Read More »
Simultaneous Senate-House legislation calls for modernization of ATF, gun safety
A joint effort from U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) and U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) produced the ATF Improvement and Modernization (AIM) Act this week to revamp the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and bolster national gun safety efforts. The legislation would end what... Read More »
NJ legislative committee approves bill requiring opioid-antidote prescriptions
The New Jersey Legislature’s Assembly Health Committee on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would require opioid-antidote prescriptions for certain high-risk patients. Assembly bill 3869, sponsored on March 23 by Assemblymen John Armato (D-Atlantic) and Valerie Vainieri Huttle... Read More »
PEW researchers: expanded naloxone access can curb opioid deaths
Researchers with The Pew Charitable Trusts have found that expanding access to naloxone, and changing public policy to ensure the opioid-overdose reversal drug gets into the hands of those who need it, can reduce opioid-related overdose deaths. Additionally, researchers said, expanded access to... Read More »
DHS opens Center for Countering Human Trafficking
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) opened the Center for Countering Human Trafficking, the U.S. government’s first law enforcement operations center directly related to human trafficking and forced labor. The center is based in Washington and is led by U.S. Immigration and Customs... Read More »
DEA launches initiative to reduce violent crime
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has launched a new initiative designed to reduce violent crime in communities throughout the country. The DEA’s Project Safeguard will identify and prioritize ongoing drug trafficking investigations with a nexus to violent crime. Working with federal,... Read More »
Justice Department awards $536M to various community public safety initiatives
The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) awarded more than $536 million in fiscal year 2020 for various policing, school safety, and anti-opioid efforts. The money went to various programs to increase law enforcement hiring and improve school... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Escobar introduces bill to protect border communities from COVID-19
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (R-TX) introduced legislation designed to protect border communities against the COVID-19 pandemic by amending the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission Act. This bill, the Binational Health Strategies Act of 2020, directs the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission to... Read More »
Justice Department funds target addiction
Department of Justice personnel said the agency has earmarked more than $341 million in grants to aid the nation in combating addiction. “The addiction crisis has taken an enormous toll on America’s families and communities, eroding public health, threatening public safety and claiming tens... Read More »
Critical, merging technology strategy released by Trump administration, Department of Homeland Security
The Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security said they have issued the first National Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology to ensure the nation’s innovative edges are guaranteed. Authorities indicated the plan outlines methods to protect technologies across... Read More »
Health officials request $8.4B in funding for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, administration
Public health leaders from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) wrote Congress last week to request emergency funding to benefit COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. The supplemental funding request came... Read More »
US, Canadian regulators sign agreement to enhance nuclear security
The United States and Canada are working together to improve and better coordinate nuclear safety and security. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for... Read More »
Utah man receives drug trafficking life sentence
The Justice Department said U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball sentenced a Utah man to life in prison for heading an organization that distributed more than 500,000 counterfeit pills nationwide. Authorities said the sentence was handed down to Aaron Michael Shamo, 30, indicating he was the CEO... Read More »
Rep. Hudson introduced bill that seeks to improve drug supply chain
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced a bill that looks to identify obstacles in the drug supply chain that hinder domestic manufacturing. Further, the bill, the American Drug Supply Chain Act, provides incentives to bring more drug manufacturing back to the United States. "The COVID-19... Read More »
Bill seeks to enhance first responder data
Reps. Susan Wild (D-PA) and Fred Keller (R-PA) introduced Wednesday a measure designed to address chronic miscounting of first responders, chiefly firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. The EMS Counts Act of 2020 would ensure the government’s nationwide collection of... Read More »
FDA approves Immazeb as first treatment for Ebola virus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a major medical breakthrough this week, approving Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to produce Inmazeb, the first treatment for Ebola virus infections to reach that point. Inmazeb is a mix of three monoclonal antibodies, which work by targeting the... Read More »
Rep. Cicilline urges Pompeo to address growing online anti-Semitic trends
Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-RI) has requested Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to acknowledge combatting online anti-Semitism addresses movements domestically and across the globe during next week's State Department conference. “Anti-Semitic cyberhate is a serious global challenge, and we must... Read More »
FDA Commissioner maps out route to request COVID-19 vaccine approval
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week issued guidance to provide sponsors, or vaccine makers, with information on requesting an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines. The October guidance, which complements June guidance issued by the agency, specifically... Read More »
Bill targets enhanced natural disaster protections
Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA) and Garret Graves (R-LA) introduced last week a measure designed to standardize natural disaster research as a means of enhancing protection efforts. The Disaster Learning and Life Saving Act would create an independent board to review the underlying causes of natural... Read More »
House Energy and Commerce leaders seek GAO review of HHS’s cybersecurity
Congressional leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are seeking a review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of cybersecurity incident response capabilities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The E&C leaders said the HHS needs to be able to manage... Read More »
New Jersey lawmakers asks FBI director to increase federal response to white nationalists groups
U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), along with other congressional representatives from New Jersey, are urging the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to increase the federal response related to white nationalist groups in their state. The lawmakers said they have seen... Read More »
Justice Department sets new policy governing the purchase of foreign-made drones
The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has revised its policy governing the award of grants to purchase foreign-made Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The revised policy requires grant recipients to use OJP funds to procure and operate UAS only in a manner that promotes... Read More »