Policy
Pandemic proves Strategic National Stockpile needs a revamp, say lawmakers, experts
The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), which is tasked with supplementing state and local supplies of antibiotics, vaccines and other critical drugs and medical products, woefully needs a revamp to help the nation better prepare and respond to public health emergencies like the current COVID-19... Read More »
Reps. Pallone, DeGette question Trump officials on PPE oversight
U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) are seeking answers from Trump Administration officials on how the federal government is overseeing suppliers of personal protective equipment (PPE), testing supplies, and other medical supplies. The lawmakers cited recent reports... Read More »
Roundtable discussion assesses military toxic exposure actions
Lawmakers recently gathered to address toxic exposure related to military service and a bill regarding how veterans exposed to toxic substances receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care and benefits. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) led the bipartisan roundtable discussion hosted by Chairman of... Read More »
Reps. Thornberry, Kelly applaud inclusion of Military Family Readiness Act in 2021 NDAA
Two representatives said the inclusion of much of their Military Family Readiness Act into the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act will bolster military family support. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS), ranking... Read More »
Bipartisan House bills target price-gouging, monopolies and transparency for taxpayer funded COVID-19 drugs
Reckoning with the possibility of bad actors taking advantage of a crisis, House members introduced two bills this week to protect patients from price-gouging on taxpayer funded COVID-19 drugs, avoid monopolies, and strengthen oversight of federally invested research and development funds. The... Read More »
Public health experts urge lawmakers to focus on future pandemics
A panel of public health experts called on Congress to focus on creating a mechanism that would help create vaccines for future pandemics, even as the world is working to cope with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. “This pandemic is a harbinger of things to come,” Julie Gerberding, former... Read More »
DoD announces Defense Production Act Title III actions
The Department of Defense (DoD) said five Defense Production Act Title III actions funded with $187 million would sustain and strengthen essential domestic industrial base capabilities and the defense-critical workforce. “These actions will help to retain critical workforce capabilities... Read More »
Bill targets research, intellectual property protections
Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Chris Coons (D-DE) joined 13 colleagues last week to introduce legislation designed to prevent foreign governments from stealing research and intellectual property domestically developed at colleges and universities. The Safeguarding American Innovation Act gives... Read More »
Corning, BARDA seek rapid production of glass tubing, vials to strengthen domestic supply chain
In an effort to reduce shortages and the reliance on foreign medical supply chains, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Department of Defense (DoD) have teamed up with Corning, Inc. to produce more glass tubing and vials quicker. In particular, the federal... Read More »
Rep. Crow introduces bill to protect military bases
U.S. Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) introduced two bills designed to protect and strengthen military bases from threats related to climate change and energy dependency. One of the bills is the DOD Water Assessment and Testing Enhanced Reporting (WATER) Act, introduced by Crow, along with Reps. Xochitl... Read More »
Bill targets retaining national security talent
Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) recently announced plans to introduce legislation designed to aid in retaining top talent by providing a pathway to an immigrant visa for non-citizens engaged in national security protection. The National Security Innovation Pathway Act seeks... Read More »
GAO report on National Disaster Medical System sparks calls for improved preparedness efforts
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) last week that called for efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to guarantee it has enough responders for emergencies and can evaluate training properly, a call echoed... Read More »
Rep. Underwood sponsors bill to curtail disinformation during crises
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) introduced legislation to combat the threat of disinformation during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased use of deepfakes, manipulated media, and online bots to spread disinformation has become an emerging homeland security threat. The Protecting... Read More »
Sens. Rubio, Kaine resolution to support GAVI advances through Senate
The Senate voted to support GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, this week through a resolution introduced by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Time Kaine (D-VA). The resolution commends and reaffirms support for GAVI. It also puts the nation’s money where its mouth is, so to speak, pledging U.S.... Read More »
Defense Secretary Esper releases U.S. Defense Space Strategy
U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper released the national Defense Space Strategy this week, which identifies how the Department of Defense will advance the nation’s space power. Esper’s plan includes three objectives; maintain space superiority; provide space support to national, joint, and... Read More »
Republican senators introduce police reform bill
A group of Republican senators introduced a police reform bill that focuses on accountability and transparency while promoting efforts to find solutions to systemic issues affecting people of color. The Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act is sponsored... Read More »
US, Canada, and Mexico work together to combat COVID-19 spread
The U.S. government has reached agreements with both Canada and Mexico to limit all non-essential travel across borders to limit the further spread of coronavirus. The Department of Homeland Security is a crucial part of this North American approach to stop the spread of the virus, as will the... Read More »
Commission on biodefense urges Americans to be vigilant in COVID-19 fight
The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense is calling for a renewed commitment to fighting COVID-19, urging Americans to protect each other. “We formed the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense six years ago because we suspected and subsequently confirmed that our Nation was vulnerable to biological... Read More »
CARES Act funding to aid West Virginia law enforcement, first responders
West Virginia law enforcement and first responder personnel will receive $439,858 in Department of Justice (DOJ) funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) said the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental... Read More »
IAFC chief testifies before Congress on need for local fire, EMS support
Gary Ludwig, president and chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), testified before Congress in June on the need for more federal support local fire and EMS departments. Ludwig, appearing before the House of Representatives' Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,... Read More »
Bills target cybersecurity defense vulnerability
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced last week two bills, the Continuity of Economy Act of 2020 and the National Guard Cyber Interoperability Act of 2020, designed to address the nation’s cybersecurity defense vulnerabilities. Peters, ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental... Read More »
Bill seeks to bolster Maritime Administration initiatives
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) recently introduced a bill he said is designed to support and strengthen programs essential to the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) mission while maintaining maritime industry viability. Wicker said the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Reauthorization Act would... Read More »
FDA revokes emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine for treating COVID-19
Arguing the potential benefits no longer outweigh the health risks involved, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday revoked its Emergency Use Authorization for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to be used as a treatment for patients with COVID-19. “We’ve made clear throughout... Read More »
COVID-19 vaccine equal access strategy sought
Health experts maintain the federal government needs to craft a plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in Black and Latino that have borne the brunt of the pandemic nationwide. “They are going to have to make sure we have a sound distribution plan to make sure that we don’t repeat the mistakes... Read More »
DHS seeks to enhance women’s leadership roles to promote global stability, safety
Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad F. Wolf said the agency is seeking to address problems faced by women and girls in conflict and disaster-affected areas globally. “Our Department is grateful to President Donald J. Trump for creating an articulated strategy to promote... Read More »
Emergent BioSolutions to manufacture AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate in U.S.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. announced Thursday it signed an agreement to provide its contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) services to support AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the United States. The agreement, valued at approximately $87 million, gives Emergent stateside... Read More »
Iran sanctions bill garners Republican Study Committee support
The Republican Study Committee (RSC) is endorsing Rep. Bryan Steil’s bill, the Stop Evasion of Iran Sanctions Act. The RSC’s backing of the measure is in accordance with the group’s National Security Strategy: Strengthening America and Countering Global Threats. “The United States... Read More »
Defense Production Act Title 3 actions initiated
The Department of Defense (DoD) has initiated five Defense Production Act Title 3 officials said would aid in sustaining defense-critical workforce capabilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The $135 million action assists in retaining body armor, aircraft manufacturing, and shipbuilding... Read More »
FDA grants emergency use authorization to Illumina for COVID-19 test
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted an emergency use authorization to Illumina for the first COVID-19 diagnostic test utilizing next generation sequence technology. The Illumina COVIDSeq Test is for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from respiratory specimens collected from... Read More »
Funds to aid research, development of homeland security technology
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has earmarked $3.9 million to fund small business research for homeland security technology needs assessment. The agency has awarded 26 competitive research contracts to 23 small businesses participating in Phase... Read More »
Sens. Machin, Udall introduce firefighter protections bill during COVID-19 pandemic
A new bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Tom Udall (D-NM), ranking members of the Committee of Energy and Natural Resources and Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies respectively, proposes to test and ensure workers’ compensation coverage for... Read More »
Reps. Williams, Heck introduce bill to move Secret Service back under Treasury Dept.
U.S. Reps. Roger Williams (R-TX) and Denny Heck (D-WA) introduced a bill that would move the Secret Service from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of the Treasury, where it originally started. The U.S. Secret Service Mission Improvement and Realignment Act of 2020... Read More »
House bill would require foreign nations to improve reporting on disease outbreaks
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Conor Lamb (D-PA) introduced legislation that would require foreign nations to implement systems for reporting and monitoring outbreaks of novel diseases. In addition, the Never Again International Outbreak Prevention Act (H.R. 7132) would sanction bad... Read More »
Rep. Buchanan advocates military training reforms
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL)is encouraging the Defense Department and his congressional colleagues to reform military training procedures in the wake of a Bradenton soldier’s death during a training exercise. Buchanan recently forwarded correspondence to the chairmen and ranking members of the... Read More »