Policy
NIST releases publication on how businesses can minimize cybersecurity risk
A new publication by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) outlines a set of risk management techniques for businesses to reduce cybersecurity risk to global supply chains. The publication, called Key Practices in Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management, addresses the... Read More »
Senate Intelligence Committee releases report on Russian election interference
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released the third installment of its investigation into Russian interference in U.S. elections. The third volume of the report, “U.S. Government Response to Russian Activities,” examines the Obama Administration’s reaction to initial reports of... Read More »
Experts warn quarantines, travel bans may be ineffective in combating coronavirus
The second wave of Americans arrived in California on Wednesday, traveling from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) epidemic. They will spend days on military bases in quarantine as public health officials determine if there are any cases of the virus and to treat those... Read More »
Sen. Grassley, HHS says coronavirus no imminent threat to US general public
Following a classified briefing of his staff by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of National Security (ONS), U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) reiterated that the novel coronavirus appears to pose no immediate threat to the United States. Where concern remains is for... Read More »
FDA claims critical milestone in novel coronavirus fight with first emergency use authorization for a diagnostic
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) that will allow use of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Diagnostic Panel by any CDC-qualified lab in the United States when dealing with cases of the novel coronavirus. That authorization,... Read More »
Defense Department plans to acquire submarine-launched ballistic missile
The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced plans to acquire a W76-2 low-yield submarine-launched ballistic missile warhead. “In the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, the department identified the requirement to ‘modify a small number of submarine-launched ballistic missile warheads’ to... Read More »
International community launches $675 million coronavirus prep effort
With cases of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) now rooted in 25 countries and afflicting more than 24,000 people, the international community is attempting to fight back with a $675 million Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP). While many nations have responded swiftly to the novel... Read More »California granted $2M for fire detection cameras
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently granted the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Sonoma County $2 million for long-range fire detection cameras for its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The program aims to prevent the loss of life as well as property... Read More »
FDA licenses avian flu vaccine
The U.S Food and Drug Administration licensed Audenz, an influenza vaccine designed to protect against the H5N1 avian influenza virus. AUDENZ was developed by Seqirus with support from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the Office of the Assistant... Read More »
Bipartisan House group introduces nuclear resolution
A bipartisan group of 10 House of Representative members recently introduced a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) going into effect. The NPT at 50 Resolution reaffirms Congress’ support for the treaty. The treaty was... Read More »
Sens. Warren, King inquire as to why infectious disease program was closed
Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Angus King (I-ME) recently requested information on why the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) PREDICT program was ended. The USAID PREDICT program was founded in 2009... Read More »
Novel coronavirus declared public health emergency in United States
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar began a new path last week in the previously measured efforts to contain the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), declaring a public health emergency for the nation and opening more flexibility for health authorities to respond. The emergency... Read More »
Sens. Klobuchar, Murkowski introduce bill to combat hate crimes
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced a bill that seeks to ensure that federal prosecutors can effectively enforce the federal hate crimes law. Since it was passed in 2009, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009, federal courts... Read More »
Reps. Davis, Stefanik introduce bill to help states secure elections
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) sponsored a bill that would provide states with more resources to secure their elections. The Protect American Voters Act (H.R. 5707) updates the Help America Vote Act of 2002 by directing the Election Assistance Commission to issue guidelines for “non-voting”... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection processed $2.7T in imports last year
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processed $2.7 trillion of imports and 410 million travelers last year, according to its Trade and Travel Fiscal Year 2019 Report. “CBP continues to make lawful trade and travel more efficient and convenient while protecting the American people and our... Read More »
House Energy and Commerce Committee members told coronavirus risk remains low
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee were briefed this week on the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak by top members of the Trump administration and reiterate that risk remains low. These members were addressed by Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and... Read More »
Bill would grant subpoena power to CISA on cybersecurity
A bill that would grant subpoena authority to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in certain cases was approved by the House Committee on Homeland Security Wednesday. The Cybersecurity Vulnerability Identification and Notification Act (H.R. 5680), introduced by Rep. Jim... Read More »
House Homeland Security committee advances three cybersecurity bills
The House Homeland Security Committee advanced three bills designed to improve cybersecurity. The three bills are the CISA Director Reform Act (H.R. 5679), introduced by Rep. John Katko (R-NY); the Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act CISA Director Reform Act (H.R. 5670), ... Read More »
Senators call for information and strategy on coronavirus outbreak
Faced with five confirmed cases and dozens of potential infections being traced across the U.S., senators from both parties have called on the federal government for updates and strategies for how to contain the recent outbreak of coronavirus. For some, the concern lay with the Department of... Read More »
Rep. Buchanan calls for Wuhan coronavirus to be declared public health emergency
Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) continue to call risk to Americans by the Wuhan coronavirus -- 2019-nCoV -- low, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) became the latest federal lawmaker this week to call for a public health... Read More »
Pennsylvania Senate bills would provide benefits for fire, emergency workers
The Pennsylvania State Senate approved two bills this week that would provide financial benefits for fire and emergency management services (EMS) workers. The bills focus on easing the financial pressures faced by fire and EMS companies due to the increasing costs of equipment and training.... Read More »
Raytheon secures Air Force missile warning contract
Raytheon Company has secured a five-year, $197 million contract Air Force contract to aid the branch in modernizing its missile warning architecture. The effort involves developing the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) Mission Data Processing Application Framework (MDPAF),... Read More »
Sen. Markey urges Trump to reestablish global health “czar” position following coronavirus outbreak
U.S. Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) is urging the Trump Administration to reestablish the White House global health security and biothreats directorate within the National Security Council. In 2016, after the Ebola virus emerged, the Obama administration created the global health and biothreats... Read More »
Trump signs into law bill that provides security grants for faith-based organizations
President Donald Trump signed into law a bill that provides grants to nonprofits and faith-based organizations to secure their facilities against a potential terrorist attack. The Protecting Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations from Terrorism Act authorizes $75 million annually for five years... Read More »
Nuclear Threat Initiative CEO urges reduction of biological threat risk
Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) CEO and Co-Chairman Ernest J. Moniz called on public and private sector leaders at last week’s 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) to work to reduce the biological risks associated with advances in technology. Safety and security measures have not kept pace with... Read More »
GAO offers recommendations regarding FirstNet contract oversight
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued the Department of Commerce a series of recommendations addressing FirstNet contract oversight with state officials and other stakeholders. FirstNet has been tasked with establishing a nationwide broadband network for public safety officials,... Read More »
Senate bill would create state cybersecurity coordinators
A bill that would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a Cybersecurity State Coordinator program was introduced in the U.S. Senate last week. The legislation would ensure that each state has its own Cybersecurity Coordinator, who would be responsible for responding to... Read More »
Virginia lawmakers seek funding for aviation facility
Virginia’s congressional delegation is urging the Army National Guard to prioritize funding for a new aviation facility in Richmond, Va., as part of the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP). The lawmakers said the funding would help complete a facility to house the Virginia Army National... Read More »
DHS issues recommendations to combat illicit trade
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a series of recommendations to the federal government and industry personnel as a means of combating illicit trade. The guidelines stem from President Donald Trump’s April 3, 2019, Memorandum on Combating Trafficking in Counterfeit and... Read More »
Legislation would ensure proper-fitted body armor for female service members
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the Senate would ensure body armor and personal protective equipment (PPE) is properly-fitted and readily available for female service members. Access to smaller sized PPE and female-specific PPE is severely limited and issued to only some women who... Read More »
U.S. cases of Wuhan coronavirus confirmed in five patients in four states
Confirmed infections of the Wuhan coronavirus reached five people in the United States over the weekend, with already known cases in Washington state and Chicago being joined by new patients in California and Arizona. In all cases, the patients recently returned to the United States from Wuhan,... Read More »
Sen. Markey seeks information from HHS, State Department on coronavirus
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) sent letters to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the State Department seeking information on their response to the coronavirus originating out of Wuhan, China. Respiratory droplets, similar to influenza, can transmit the coronavirus. It... Read More »
DHS launches initiative with American Airlines to combat human trafficking
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched an initiative with American Airlines to combat human trafficking. The DHS Blue Campaign seeks to raise awareness of human trafficking by sharing awareness materials, engaging in events and public awareness campaigns, and amplifying a... Read More »
California bill adds dispatchers as first responders
California lawmakers recently joined public safety dispatchers from across the state in celebrating a bill classifying those in the vocation as first responders. California State Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) said Assembly Bill 1945 (AB 1945) recognizes the work of public safety... Read More »