Policy
Space Development Agency announces new director
Department of Defense (DoD) officials announced Monday the selection of Derek Tournear as the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) first permanent director. “Our strategy is to unify efforts across the military services and government agencies to rapidly develop capabilities that are responsive... Read More »
Bill seeks to cut nuclear weapons budget
Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) reintroduced Tuesday legislation is designed to reduce the nation’s nuclear weapons budget by $75 billion over the next decade. The Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures (SANE) Act would enhance national security and cut what they... Read More »
Democrats decry reports of Trump bid at acting DHS head
The chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security opened Wednesday’s hearing on global terrorism criticizing President Donald Trump and his bid to name a new acting director of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on the day before Kevin McAleenan was scheduled to end his five-month... Read More »
Justice Department launching program to let task force officers wear body cameras
The U.S. Department of Justice is launching a pilot program that will allow federal task force officers to use body-worn cameras while serving arrest or search warrants. The Department of Justice oversees hundreds of federal task forces throughout the nation, which work with law enforcement to... Read More »
Senate bill would create new Department of Defense Regional Center in the Arctic
Legislation that would create a new Department of Defense Regional Center in the Arctic was introduced in the U.S. Senate this week. The center, the Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies, would be named after the longtime Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. The Defense Department has five... Read More »
Task force created to combat anti-Semitism
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee launched the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism this week. The purpose of the task force is to collaborate with advocates, state and local governments, federal agencies, law enforcement, clergy, educators, and... Read More »
Bill addresses energy research, development
Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) recently introduced a measure reauthorizing Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) funding, noting it advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies in early development stages. The ARPA-E... Read More »
DHS expands Migrant Protection Protocols sites
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now has six ports of entry Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) sites in the wake of establishing expansion at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry. Migrants attempting to enter the country via the southwest border regardless of location may be returned to Mexico... Read More »
Lawmakers to formally introduce Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act
A bill that would give authority to the arresting law enforcement agency to maintain custody of an illegal immigrant in cases where a detainer has been issued will be formally introduced in Congress this week. The Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act would clarify the Department of Homeland... Read More »
Senate advances legislation directing DHS to examine threats of deepfakes
The U.S. Senate advanced a bill that would direct the Department of Homeland Security to examine the threats deepfakes pose to national security and elections. Deepfake is a technology where hackers are able to alter video to create images or real people. The videos can then use these fake... Read More »
FEMA, Pennsylvania conduct mass care exercise
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III recently conducted an exercise in Central Pennsylvania to test the state’s ability to provide mass care services during a winter storm event leading to power outages and flooding. The Mass Care Tabletop Exercise was held with the... Read More »
Challenge targets disaster response, resilience
Three agencies within the Department of Commerce have initiated a $1 million initiative they said is designed to accelerate disaster response and resilience technology. The Economic Development Administration (EDA), in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)... Read More »
GAO issues new disaster resilience guidelines
Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued last week new disaster resilience guidelines to help entities refine responses to the growing threat posed by natural disasters. Disaster Resilience Framework: Principles for Analyzing Federal Efforts to Facilitate and Promote Resilience to Natural... Read More »
Bill targets DHS immigration enforcement concerns
A group of Democratic senators introduced a bill last week that addresses southwest border challenges while improving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) border community engagement. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tom Udall (D-NM) joined colleagues in supporting the Homeland... Read More »
Senators ask for security assessment of Chinese platforms
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) have requested the intelligence community conduct an assessment of the potential national security risks from China-owned content platforms operating in the United States. The formal request was sent to Acting Director... Read More »
Colorado Congressional delegation urges additional H-2B visas
A delegation of Colorado lawmakers is urging Congressional leaders to provide additional H-2B visas for seasonal workers in year-end appropriations packages or budget resolutions. H-2B program allows U.S. employers to bring aliens to the United States to fill temporary nonagricultural... Read More »
Few countries prepared for global disease outbreaks
Countries are not prepared for the possible international spread of new or emerging pathogens or for the deliberate or accidental release of dangerous agents, according to a new index that assesses the capabilities of 195 nations. The Global Health Security Index is a joint project by the... Read More »
Senate bill seeks to reduce mass shootings
A group of Senate Republicans recently introduced the Restoring, Enhancing, Strengthening, and Promoting Our Nation’s Safety Efforts (RESPONSE) Act, which would provide law enforcement with new tools, expand resources for mental health treatment and boost school safety. Law enforcement would... Read More »
Homeland Security committee approves aviation security bill sponsored by late Rep. Cummings
The House Committee on Homeland Security advanced a bill sponsored by the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) to improve the Transportation Security Administration's security operations. The Covert Testing and Risk Mitigation Improvement Act (H.R. 3469) is designed to improve the effectiveness and... Read More »
Senate bill would thwart prescription drug diversion
Legislation that would prevent drug diversion in real-time was introduced in the Senate this week by Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Chris Coons (D-DE). The Suspicious Order Identification Act of 2019 to enhance oversight related to prescription drug diversion. Currently, law enforcement or other... Read More »
CBP New Orleans participates in Homeland Security anti-counterfeiting operation in Louisiana
Customs and Border Protection (CBP), New Orleans Field Office, has partnered with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to stop counterfeiting efforts during the Holiday season for the third consecutive year. Operation Safety Claus, an anti-counterfeiting law enforcement operation in metro New... Read More »
Experts, lawmakers call for improved drug pipeline to treat superbugs
Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) microorganisms, also known as superbugs, increasingly threaten every person on Earth, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and national experts. “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent health risks of our time and threatens to undo a... Read More »
Medical professionals take course in chemical-casualty management
Medical professionals from 20 countries recently attended an international course on the medical management of chemical casualties at the Air Force Medical University in Xi’an, China. Participants were trained in the advanced hospital care of the victims of toxic chemicals or chemical weapons... Read More »
Anti-Defamation League report says 12 white supremacists arrested since Tree of Life attacks
In the year since the attack on Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, 12 white supremacists have been arrested for their alleged roles in terrorist plots, attacks or threats against the Jewish community, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported. The ADL’s Center on Extremism reports... Read More »
Bill seeks to offer election protections against foreign interference
A bipartisan delegation of legislators recently supported legislation seeking to prohibit foreign ownership or control of the nation’s elections systems. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-NJ) recently joined Reps. Kendra Horn (D-OK), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM), Dan Crenshaw... Read More »
Legislation targets IoT cybersecurity
Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) recently introduced a measure they said would create a voluntary cybersecurity certification program for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The Cyber Shield Act would establish an advisory committee of cybersecurity experts from academia,... Read More »
Task force launched to address challenges fire departments face in Pennsylvania
A recently launched joint federal/state task force will address workforce challenges and budgetary faced by volunteer fire companies in Pennsylvania. The task force was created by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Congressional Fire Services Caucus member, and state Reps. Frank Farry (R-... Read More »
House bill would give border agents tool to detect synthetic opioids
A bill that would give U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents the equipment to detect synthetic opioids has been introduced in the U.S. House. The DHS Opioid Detection Resilience Act of 2019 requires the Commissioner of CBP to procure chemical screening devices that allow border patrol... Read More »
European Medicines Agency gives approval to Merck Ebola vaccine
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave the okay for a conditional marketing authorization for V920 Ebola Zaire vaccine developed by Merck. If affirmed by the European Commission, the vaccine will be authorized under the brand name... Read More »
Bill addresses IoT risks, cybersecurity training
Rep. Ro Khanna introduced Monday a measure designed to consider federal employee cybersecurity training and information on the risks of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. “The Internet of Things Cybersecurity Training for Federal Employees Act will ensure that our federal workforce is aware of... Read More »
Legislation would establish assistant secretary of defense for space
Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) recently introduced H.R.4720, legislation that would establish an assistant secretary of defense for space. The position would be responsible for the growth and expansion of the United States Space Force and would report to the secretary of defense. “As China and... Read More »
Massachusetts Congress members urge DHS to help municipalities fight cyber attacks
Democratic members of Congress from Massachusetts are urging the Department of Homeland Security to broaden its efforts to help state and local governments to fight the growing number of ransomware attacks. The lawmakers expressed their concern with the rise in these attacks on police... Read More »
Commerce Department announces two appointments to FirstNet Board
The Department of Commerce has appointed Karima Holmes and Matt Slinkard to the First Responder Network Authority Board (FirstNet Authority). The FirstNet Authority’s mission, per authorities, is to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of FirstNet, the nationwide broadband network... Read More »