Policy
US lifts enhanced entry restrictions on international air passengers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted enhanced screening requirements on most inbound international flights this week, abruptly changing a system based on 15 airports that have been in place since March. Under current rules, international passengers from high-risk countries... Read More »
Proposed Abiding by U.S. Commitments Act would provide nearly $119M to WHO
U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation last week seeking to provide $118.9 million in funding for the organization and strengthen global COVID-19 vaccine efforts. The funds provided under the Abiding by U.S. Commitments Act would be a continuation of dues the... Read More »
DOJ office awards $50M for school safety initiatives
The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) will award $50 million in funding for school safety initiatives through its School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). The program provides up to 75 percent funding for school safety measures for primary and... Read More »
Senators call on HHS, CDC to improve COVID-19 data collection processes
A bipartisan group of senators recently called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve COVID-19 data collection and management. Specifically, the lawmakers are asking the agencies to harness technologically... Read More »
Rep. Gottheimer targets Foreign Terrorist Organization usage of social media platforms
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) launched this week an initiative designed to aid in combating Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) utilizing social media platforms to recruit and raise funds with cryptocurrencies. Gottheimer said the “Online Arsenal to Combat Foreign Terrorist Organizations”... Read More »
IATA addresses vaccine distribution preparedness
International Air Transport Association (IATA) officials maintain governments should initiate planning with the industry to ensure preparedness when COVID-19 vaccines are approved and ready for distribution. “Safely delivering COVID-19 vaccines will be the mission of the century for the... Read More »
America First Vaccine Act would require American developers of COVID-19 vaccine to help Americans first
Under new legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), American companies operating with the support of U.S. taxpayer funds would be barred from providing any new COVID-19 vaccine to citizens of other countries ahead of Americans. The America First Vaccine Act (S. 4542) would lock... Read More »
House leaders urge Trump to investigate alleged Russian poisoning of Navalny
U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) are urging the Trump administration to investigate Russia’s alleged use of chemical weapons in the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. This request triggers an investigation into Russia’s alleged violation of... Read More »
Cyberspace Solarium Commission establishes cyber workforce framework
The Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) said the recent release of its new white paper regarding the establishment of a cyber workforce framework seeks to address industry personnel shortfalls. The document, “Growing a Stronger Federal Cyber Workforce” was released at a virtual event... Read More »
Trump administration introduces cybersecurity policy for space systems
The Trump administration announced a new cybersecurity policy for systems used in space. The Space Policy Directive- 5 (SPD-5) puts in place key systems for global communications, navigation, weather monitoring, and other critical services. It also establishes the Department of Homeland... Read More »
Organizations launch public health collaborative
Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) has joined a group of health industry organizations in launching the Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) to address health, safety, and the economy. “Unfortunately, misinformation and conflicting messages about COVID-19 have confused the... Read More »
DHS transferring ownership of National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility to USDA for research, vaccine development
A new facility -- the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility -- meant to house top-of-the-line labs for research into foreign animal diseases will soon transfer from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), but outstanding issues could... Read More »
Sen. Durbin queries potential COVID-19 vaccine providers
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) has forwarded correspondence to eight potential COVID-19 vaccine providers, inquiring about maintaining scientific and data-based standards in the wake of possible political pressure. Durbin sent letters to Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sanofi and... Read More »
OPCW leader issues statement on alleged poisoning of Russian political leader
The head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) issued a statement about the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. “Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, any poisoning of an individual through the use of a nerve agent is considered a use of... Read More »
Report examines potential election interference lessons
A Center for American Progress (CAP) report maintains there are lessons to be learned regarding 2016 election interference and addresses steps to shield future votes from such actions. “America was caught off guard in 2016, but there are no excuses in future elections,” said James Lamond,... Read More »
DHS proposes new rule for biometric collection
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking to expand the department’s authorities and methods for collecting biometrics to improve the screening and vetting process. The proposed rule changes would modernize biometrics collection and authorize expanded use of biometrics beyond... Read More »
Federal officials urge family, community disaster planning
In the wake of September being National Preparedness Month (NPM), federal officials are encouraging family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. This year’s theme, "Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today," emphasizes the importance of making a plan, building a... Read More »
HHS terminates contract with Royal Philips after delivery of only 12,300 EV300 ventilators
A contract between Royal Philips and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that would have brought 43,000 bundled EV300 ventilator configurations to the Strategic National Stockpile will be terminated after fulfillment of just 12,300 this month. “To date, we have delivered on... Read More »
Sen. Durbin urges DoD to adopt fast COVID-19 testing system
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged the Department of Defense (DoD) to adopt SHIELD T3, a system of COVID-19 testing and tracing developed by the University of Illinois. SHIELD T3 provides rapid results in two to six hours at costs significantly below current alternatives. It could be used to... Read More »
DoD names new director of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
The Department of Defense has named Victoria Coleman as director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Coleman’s career spans over 30 years in academia, the private sector, and government. She previously served as DARPA’s Microsystems Exploratory Council founding chair... Read More »
Coast Guard halts illegal charters
Coast Guard officials said the service branch has halted at least five illegal charter voyages discovered across the Mid-Atlantic since July. “The recent increase of illegal charters in the Maryland National Capital Region is a serious issue. Illegal charters pose a significant hazard to life,... Read More »
Bill targets global health accountability
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a measure they said is designed to hold foreign nations accountable for suppressing or distorting information concerning international public health crises. Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) joined Reps. John Curtis (R-UT), Mike Gallagher... Read More »
Emergency use authorization for remdesivir now allows use on all COVID-19 hospitalized patients
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the drug Veklury (remdesivir) to allow its use on all hospitalized patients with suspected or lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19. Its use was formerly restricted by severity, but those... Read More »
Lawrence Livermore National Lab chemists prepare for proficiency exam to test chemical weapons
Chemists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) will spend the next month and a half preparing for an exam that will certify the laboratory to test for chemical weapons, a task it has been certified to do since 2003. Taken in October by chemists a part of the laboratory’s... Read More »
CISA, FBI warns about North Korean cyberthreat on ATMs
Federal authorities are issuing an alert about an automated teller machine (ATM) cash-out scheme by North Korean government cyber actors. This scheme is referred to as “FASTCash 2.0: North Korea's BeagleBoyz Robbing Banks.” The alert – issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure... Read More »
Senators to introduce bill to restore full funding to National Guard
A group of Democratic senators will introduce a bill to restore full federal funding for the National Guard so it can respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Aug. 3, President Donald Trump signed a memo terminating the 100 percent federal cost share with the National Guard that had been in effect... Read More »
Coast Guard executes international narcotics seizures
Coast Guard officials said crews recently executed narcotics seizures in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean Sea. The Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton crew offloaded approximately 11,500 pounds of cocaine and... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Warren, Smith press large test labs for data on COVID-19 test processing capacity
In response to reports that rising COVID-19 cases in July strained lab capacity and caused a decline in daily tests, U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) wrote letters to several COVID-19 testing labs requesting information on the processing capacity for each. June and July... Read More »
Infectious diseases society cautions FDA commissioner on COVID-19 vaccines
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) are urging the Food and Drug Administration to make sure that rigorous safety and efficacy data support the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine. Full licensure of a vaccine is preferable to an Emergency Use... Read More »
Rep. Green introduces bill to strengthen CISA
U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) introduced legislation to strengthen the ability of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to address cyberthreats on Federal government systems. The bill, called the Protecting Federal Networks Act, gives CISA the authority to address threats and... Read More »
Lawmakers seek cryptocurrency seizure insight
Two Democratic legislators forwarded correspondence Tuesday to Attorney General William Barr and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin seeking insight regarding the recent seizure of cryptocurrency raised by designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations. U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) Emanuel... Read More »
Sen. Durbin discusses COVID-19 vaccine safety with Operation Warp Speed chief
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed the research and approval process for COVID-19 vaccine candidates with General Gustave Perna, chief operating officer for Operation Warp Speed, a public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, Durbin... Read More »
USCIS averts furlough of nearly 70 percent of workforce
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials said spending cuts and increased incoming revenue and receipts has resulted in averting an administrative furlough of more than 13,000 employees. “Our workforce is the backbone of every USCIS accomplishment. Their resilience and... Read More »
Rep. LaMalfa seeks greater wildfire aid for California
U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) said lack of planning, personnel, and equipment has led to extreme California wildfire damage and has invited federal officials to the state to aid with solutions. LaMalfa said he has extended an invitation to Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Agriculture... Read More »