Policy
Sen. Menendez advocates Defense Production Act be invoked
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is urging President Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) as a means of accelerating COVID-19 national response, supply production and readiness. “In the midst of a pandemic, state and local governments should not be left on their own scrambling to... Read More »
Lawmakers seeking rural COVID-19 response coordination
Senate lawmakers are urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to galvanize Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of the Interior (DOI) efforts to enhance rural COVID-19 response coordination. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) joined 22 other legislators in... Read More »
Sen. Peters proposes legislation to remedy coronavirus testing shortages
Looking for solutions to the nationwide shortages of coronavirus testing, despite the ongoing pandemic, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) proposed legislation this week that would make testing free and rapidly distributed both to communities and health care providers. Calling on both the Trump... Read More »
Trump signs Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act into law
President Donald Trump signed into law the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, which is designed to help secure America’s telecommunications supply chain. The enactment of the bill was applauded by its sponsors, Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Greg Walden (R-OR), Doris Matsui... Read More »
Research firm offers assessment of Space Force
The research organization RAND Corporation recently offered an assessment of the Space Force’s role, determining most space activities in the Department of Defense should be moved into the new service. “Launching a Space Force offers the opportunity to increase U.S. military capability,... Read More »
Lawmakers advocate REAL ID Act implementation delay
Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Lou Correa (D-CA) are urging Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to delay the Oct. 1, 2020, REAL ID Act implementation deadline. The three legislators encouraged the delayed action, citing the impact of COVID-19, the limited... Read More »
New York representatives rally for Families First Coronavirus Response Act as Senate decides to go on legislative recess
A Senate decision to go on recess amid the novel coronavirus outbreak has drawn the ire of House members, several of which have called on their legislative counterparts to immediately vote on the Families First Coronavirus Act (H.R. 6201). That act was voted through the House last week and has... Read More »
Families First Coronavirus Response Act pledges swift COVID-19 action, but strict language raises alarms
Recently advanced by the House, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) has so far run the bipartisan gamut to ease the economic toll of the novel coronavirus outbreak, but health experts warn its proposed coverage leaves new developers and patients in the lurch. While the bill... Read More »
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense receives $2.62M grant to continue biosecurity efforts
The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense received its largest grant to date from Open Philanthropy, the commission announced today. The $2.62 million grant from Open Philanthropy is the commission’s fifth grant from the philanthropic group, which has provided a total of $7.31 million in grants... Read More »
Democratic senators urge Trump to make disaster funds available through Stafford Act
Democratic U.S. senators made the request last week for President Donald Trump to immediately consider any disaster declarations invoked by governors under the Stafford Act. This action would grant states access to additional resources necessary to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.... Read More »
FirstNet Authority appoints new executive director
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board has selected Edward Parkinson as the organization’s executive director. “After conducting a comprehensive and thorough search, we are pleased to announce the selection of Ed Parkinson to be the Executive Director of the... Read More »
Facial comparison technology introduced at JFK
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said the agency has introduced biometric facial comparison technology at John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 4 to secure and streamline international travel. “CBP and its partners are implementing facial comparison technology to provide... Read More »
Hackensack Meridian Health launches coronavirus test with reduced diagnosis times
As testing backlogs grow across the U.S., Hackensack Meridian Health of New Jersey announced last week that its Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) has created a rapid diagnostic for COVID-19 capable of reducing test times to mere hours. The test allows the health network to quarantine... Read More »
Trump declares coronavirus national emergency; FDA grants NY flexibility with patient testing
President Donald Trump on Friday declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency, a move that will allow the federal government to tap into billions of dollars in aid to help combat the spread of the virus. The national emergency declaration will allow up to $50 billion in government... Read More »
House Democrats introduce bill to help families deal with coronavirus
House Democrats introduced legislation to bolster the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak for families. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides paid leave, establishes free coronavirus testing, supports strong unemployment benefits, expands food assistance... Read More »
Lawmakers tout 5G legislation advancement
Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Mike Doyle (D-PA) are espousing the benefits of the House advancing the Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2020. “It is long past time that the Trump Administration prepare our networks for the 5G future – this bill will force the Administration to do exactly... Read More »
Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus effort targets cyberthreat defense
Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus officials said the body has crafted a landmark policy framework designed to enhance the nation’s defenses against cyberthreats while mitigating vulnerabilities. The Cyberspace Solarium Commission Report outlines recommendations for reforms to organize... Read More »
CDC to provide more than $560M to state and local jurisdictions to support COVID-19 efforts
As the federal government ratchets up its response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have announced plans to release more than $560 million in response support funding to state and local authorities. "Our state, local, tribal, and... Read More »
COVID-19 spread means Congress should ‘cool it’ when fraternizing with public
Strategies including social distancing, telework and avoiding large crowds should be practiced by all Americans, including members of Congress, to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, said top federal health officials during a reconvened hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday. Really sick... Read More »
Senators seek answers from prison officials on coronavirus preparedness
A group of U.S. Senators recently asked the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and the three largest private prison operators about the procedures they have in place to manage a potential spread of the coronavirus in federal prisons. Over 175,000 individuals are incarcerated in federal prisons and... Read More »
DHS supports law enforcement driving skills program
A report by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund finds that law enforcement officers face a higher risk of death and injury traveling to the scene of an incident than at the actual scene itself. The report revealed that vehicle-related collisions are one of the leading causes of... Read More »
FDA to postpone foreign inspections through April, pushing concerns of coronavirus impact on supply chain
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this week that it will continue to forego most foreign inspections through April, due to ongoing coronavirus concerns -- the same concerns that have prompted Congressional leaders to inquire about potential impacts to the medical product supply... Read More »
Democrats introduce additional COVID-19 actions to ensure health workers’ safety
Building off of the momentum embodied in an $8.3 billion emergency funding package approved earlier this month, House Democrats have introduced legislation meant to guarantee health care facilities have exposure control plans in place to protect workers from COVID-19. The COVID-19 Worker... Read More »
Kadlec details role coordinating coronavirus response across HHS, federal government
Dr. Robert Kadlec, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), on Wednesday confirmed his duties as the top emergency preparedness official coordinating the COVID-19 coronavirus response from both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the federal... Read More »
WHO officially declares COVID-19 a pandemic amidst warnings of inaction
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic, making it the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. Though WHO had already determined the novel coronavirus a matter of the highest risk globally, the new declaration ended weeks of questioning and... Read More »
Bill to cure coronavirus introduced in Congress
A bill that seeks to develop treatment and a cure for the COVID-19 coronavirus was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The Cure the Coronavirus Act (HR 6019) encourages the rapid innovation and approval of a treatment to prevent or cure the 2019 coronavirus. The World... Read More »
Agencies target deceptive coronavirus advertising
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials have forwarded warning correspondence to seven companies for allegedly selling unapproved products that include deceptive coronavirus claims. “There already is a high level of anxiety over the potential spread of... Read More »
Sens. Menendez, Booker call on HHS to release emergency funding for coronavirus
U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) are urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to unlock emergency funds allocated for state and local governments to deal with the coronavirus. The emergency funding was allocated in an $8.5 billion supplemental spending... Read More »
CEPI urges need for $2B investment COVID-19 vaccine in light of recent investment from UK
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI) welcomed this week a £20 million ($26.2 million) investment from the U.K. government while highlighting the need for upwards of $2 billion to develop a vaccine against the virus that causes COVID-19. CEPI, a global partnership dedicated to the... Read More »
House advances legislation extending Transportation Security Officer rights, protections
The House of Representatives has advanced a bill designed to extend Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) equal rights and protections provided other workers under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. Reps. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Nita Lowey (D-NY) sponsored the Rights for Transportation Security... Read More »
Reps. Degette, Bucshon introduce bill to improve FDA oversight of diagnostic testing
A bipartisan bill that would establish a framework for overseeing diagnostic testing at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Public health officials have long called for greater oversight of diagnostic testing. Health care providers and... Read More »
Maryland Congressional leaders discuss funding from DoD to fight infectious diseases
Members of Congress from Maryland met with defense department officials last week to discuss funding for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) and the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD). The meeting was precipitated... Read More »
Senators hold hearing with DHS, HHS to address COVID-19 priorities
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last week to address steps being taken to contain COVID-19 and prevent future epidemics. The novel coronavirus has... Read More »
Strategic National Stockpile requires more funds to bolster inventory, says former director
The former director of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) told Homeland Preparedness News on Friday that Congress should go above and beyond requested supplemental funding to ensure the United States is more prepared to fight the coronavirus outbreak and other future threats. “There is... Read More »