Policy
Sen. Warner seeks answers from Pompeo on cybersecurity in State Department
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) voiced concerns over the U.S. State Departmentʻs plans to address the surge of offensive cyberactivity by Iran. In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Warner is seeking answers from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on how the State Department plans to defend... Read More »
Sen. Durbin, Rep. Schneider seek support for Domestic Terrorism legislation
Citing a deadly year and the threat of domestic terrorism, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) have reintroduced the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020--legislation to enhance federal abilities to crack down on domestic terror. The bill would give the federal... Read More »
US-Israel partnerships awards $2.3M for homeland security projects
U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation awarded $2.3 million to three groups to develop advanced technologies for homeland security. The BIRD Foundation is an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate... Read More »
Sen. Rubio applauds Trump Administration’s sanctions on Iran
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) commended the Trump Administration for imposing sanctions on eight senior Iranian officials and key sectors of Iran’s economy, including steel and iron manufacturers. “Today’s announcement of sanctions against senior Iranian officials and Iran’s... Read More »
Senators seek details on measures to protect service members in Middle East
A group of Democratic Senators urged the Trump Administration last week to detail the security measures to protect diplomats, service members, personnel, and families serving in the Middle East following the killing of Iran’s Qassem Soleimani. The Democratic Senators also want to evidence of... Read More »
Officials tout border wall construction progress
Federal officials recently joined Yuma, Ariz., city and county leaders in touting border wall construction progress, noting completion of the first 100 miles of the system along the southwest border. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf recently joined by Senator Martha McSally... Read More »
Sen. Duckworth demands Secretary Esper disclose legal rationale for Soleimani assassination
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) recently sent correspondence to U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, pressing for information regarding the legal basis used for the military operation that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. “During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services... Read More »
DHS secretary meets with Honduran officials to discuss border security
Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, met with officials from Honduras to discuss efforts to discuss several issues related to border security. Specifically, they discussed plans to stem the flow of illegal immigration, combat transnational criminal... Read More »
Bill bolsters US-Israel strategic alliance
Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chris Coons (D-DE) recently introduced legislation designed to strengthen the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance. The United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2020 authorizes $3.3 billion in annual security assistance consistent with the Memorandum... Read More »
UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter aids El Paso CBP
El Paso Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel said the return of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to its Air and Marine Operations aids capability to accomplish its missions. The CBP’s Air and Marine Operations El Paso Air Branch (AMO El Paso) had not flown the UH-60 Black Hawk since... Read More »
Homeland Security Investigations appoints new leadership
Debra Parker is the new special agent in charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office based in Seattle. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said Parker, a 25-year veteran of federal law enforcement, would be responsible for supervising special agents conducting... Read More »
Lawmakers urge increased cybersecurity protections in financial sector
Reps. Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Gregory Meeks (D-NY) recently urged federal financial regulators to strengthen cyber infrastructure against possible attacks on the heels of recent threats from Iran and its allies. The congressman forwarded correspondence to nine separate financial... Read More »
House advances three bills to improve 5G security
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced three bills this week that seek to improve 5G security in the country. One of the bills is the Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2019 (H.R. 2881), introduced by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Francis Rooney... Read More »
Rep. Stefanik holds law enforcement roundtable
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) hosted a Law Enforcement Roundtable in her district at the Milton Community Center to discuss several pressing issues facing police officers. Among the issues, law enforcement officials spoke about the importance of mental health resources for police departments.... Read More »
House panel seeks restoration of homeland security grants
A bipartisan group of U.S. House members, in the wake of this week’s U.S. killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani and recent domestic acts of anti-Semitic violence, called on the Trump administration to restore millions of dollars in homeland security grants aimed at aiding state and local... Read More »
CBP to evaluate process of DNA sample collection
Two Customs and Border Protection (CBP) locations have been selected to evaluate the operational impact of proposed regulatory changes requiring DNA sample collection from some in CBP custody. Beginning this month, the Border Patrol is implementing the 90-day pilot program in the Detroit Sector.... Read More »
Legislation highlights importance of Arctic region to national, economic security
Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Angus King (I-ME) recently introduced a measure designed to direct the federal government to recognize the importance of the Arctic region to national and economic security interests. The Arctic Naval Focus Act of 2019, also initiates a... Read More »
Senators urge secretary of defense to support a larger U.S. Navy
U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), and Angus King (I-ME) recently expressed concern that the Department of Defense will significantly reduce shipbuilding in its fiscal year 2021 budget. Three years ago, President Donald Trump signed into law a policy of achieving a 355-ship Navy. The current navy... Read More »
Sens. Udall, Paul urge colleagues to support bill to prevent war with Iran
U.S. Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Rand Paul (R-KY) are urging their Senate colleagues to support their bill that would prevent going to war with Iran. The Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019 (S.1039) affirms the constitutional role of Congress as the sole branch of government... Read More »
Massachusetts significantly increases funding to combat hate crimes
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker recently signed a fiscal year 2019 close-out supplemental budget that triples funding for houses of worship and other nonprofit groups. The funding is intended to enhance security against hate crimes and terrorist attacks. The budget adds $1 million to the... Read More »
Sens. Booker, Menendez urge funding increases to combat hate crimes
New Jersey lawmakers are calling for an increase in government funding to protect communities from hate crimes and domestic terrorism. U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) are urging the federal government to increase funding from $90 million to $360 million for the Nonprofit... Read More »
New York congressional members request investigation of social media’s use in spreading hate
Five members of New York’s congressional delegation recently sent a letter to top-ranking national security officials requesting an investigation into how foreign adversaries use social media to cause hate and civil unrest in the United States. The letter was sent to Christopher Wray, Federal... Read More »
DHS issues new National Terrorism Advisory bulletin following Soleimani airstrike
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin following the U.S.-led airstrike that killed Qaseem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf stated that there... Read More »
Interception of smuggling attempts yields 20 pounds of cocaine for CBP Atlanta
In a series of catches made over the last two months of 2019, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport intercepted 20 pounds of cocaine being transported by smugglers. The amounts, which collectively accounted for around $280,000 in... Read More »
Senate, House resolutions demand Congressional Authorization for war with Iran
In a criticism of President Donald Trump, legislation has been introduced into both the Senate and House, respectively, which would require a debate and vote in Congress before any war with Iran would be allowed. These War Powers Resolutions were introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Dick... Read More »
DHS to open migrant processing facility at Nogales Port of Entry
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin processing migrants for return to Mexico under the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) at the Nogales Port of Entry. This is the seventh port of entry where MPP returns will be made. Any migrants making illegal or entry at the Southwest... Read More »
CBP intercepts 3,600 pounds of cocaine from Pacific-cruising boat
A mission from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) spotted and intercepted a vessel in the Eastern Pacific last week, seizing 3,600 pounds of cocaine and arresting three Columbian nationals in the process. The efforts were thanks to a P-3 Orion Long Range... Read More »
Border Patrol seizes more than $350,000 in marijuana last weekend
U.S. Border Patrol agents in Texas seized more than $350,000 in marijuana over the final weekend of 2019. The seizures were the result of four narcotic smuggling attempts. Three seizures were made Dec. 28. Agents in Weslaco responded to a call about a suspicious man near Pharr, Texas. The... Read More »
Bill to ease the absentee voting process for active duty service members becomes law
A bill that would ensure that U.S. military service members are provided with ballots and registration cards necessary to vote while deployed overseas was signed into law by President Donald Trump. The Military Voting Protection Act – introduced by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) – was included... Read More »
Funds earmarked for Navy ROTC program at UH Manoa
An allotment of $1.1 million in federal funds has been earmarked for the inaugural Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Manoa. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, noted the funds were included in the spending... Read More »
U.S. Space Operations Command becomes official
U.S. Space Operations Command (SPOC) became official on Dec. 20 after Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett re-designated the Fourteenth Air Force. Air Force military and civilian personnel previously assigned to the Fourteenth Air Force are now assigned to SPOC. The SPOC supports the U.S.... Read More »
Houses advances bill to fund gun violence research
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a spending package that includes $25 million for gun violence research. The bill—sponsored by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) -- now moves to the Senate for consideration. The Senate will vote on final passage in the coming days.... Read More »
Senate bill seeks to reduce international corruption
The U.S. Senate recently advanced a bipartisan bill designed to fight international corruption. The Combatting Global Corruption Act (S. 1309), introduced by Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Todd Young (R-IN), would encourage greater transparency in U.S. foreign and security assistance and publicize... Read More »
Sens. King, Risch applaud passage of Securing Energy Infrastructure Act
U.S. Sens. Angus King (I-ME) and Jim Risch (R-ID) commended the enactment of a bill they introduced that would develop defenses for the U.S. energy grid. The Securing Energy Infrastructure Act, which passed as part of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act, would seek to develop defenses... Read More »