Policy
Sen. Markey criticizes proposal by DHS to take travelers pictures at airports
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) blasted a proposal by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would require all travelers, including U.S. citizens, to be photographed upon entry and/or departure from U.S. airports. “The Department of Homeland Security should immediately withdraw plans to... Read More »
Senate bill would protect people’s data online
A bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate this week that seeks to protect people’s personal data online. The Data Care Act would require websites, apps, and other online providers to take steps to protect users’ personal information and prevent the misuse of users’ data. “People have a... Read More »
Agencies test border patrol technologies
U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) conducted 11 days of exercises and demonstrations in August in Sweetgrass, Mont. The field test simulated illegal border crossings and evaluated portable, surveillance technologies that provide... Read More »
PMO Marines conduct active shooter training
Provost Marshal Office (PMO) Marines recently conducted an active shooter training initiative at Camp Foster as a means of ensuring readiness and reliability in the event of such a scenario unfolding. “The training we do ensures that we do not become complacent,” Cpl. Jonathan Cosgrove, a... Read More »
Climate risks to health continue to grow despite lack of prioritized funding
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that despite more countries recognizing and prioritizing the dangers of climate change and its potential impacts on health, they are not entirely acting to confront the situation. Of 101 countries surveyed, half have developed a... Read More »
Sen. Markey commends FCC Chair’s call not to auction off T-band spectrum
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) commended Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai’s call for Congress to repeal the mandate to auction T-Band spectrum. Markey was among several senators who introduced a bill that would repeal a provision of the 2012 Middle Class Tax Relief... Read More »
Reps. Torres Small, Crenshaw introduce bill to enhance border security
U.S. Reps. Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) introduced a bill to improve border security through enhanced detection technology at land ports of entry. The Securing America’s Ports Act seeks to increase the scanning rates of vehicles entering the United States by land with... Read More »
DOD seeking 5G development input
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking industry input regarding 5G technology development to address the creation and issuance of formal Requests for Prototype Proposals related to testing and experimentation projects. In addition to the notice, "Intent to Announce - Request for Prototype... Read More »
Partnership will provide Central Ohio first responders with safety kits
A partnership between the emergency management directors of 14 counties, the Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and citizenAID will provide nearly 1,000 Public Safety Drop Kits to first responders throughout Central Ohio. The kits, made by Columbus-based citizenAID,... Read More »
New York man arrested for trying to support ISIS
Zachary Clark, a Brooklyn resident, recently appeared in a Manhattan federal court on charges of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and distributing bomb-making instructions. The charges have a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.... Read More »
INTERPOL exercise in Southeast Asia nets arrests, seizures
The International Criminal Police Organization, or INTERPOL, conducted a security exercise in Southeast Asia that led to various arrests and seizures of illegal goods. The exercise, dubbed Operation Anchor, featured law enforcement agencies in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam... Read More »
GAO offers climate resilience recommendation
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued Congress a recommendation regarding climate resilience, maintaining a strategic investment approach for high priority projects could aid the resource targeting process. The GAO’s position is Congress should consider establishing a federal... Read More »
Rep. Cole supports creation of task force to tackle violence against Native American women
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) released a statement last week supporting the creation of an interagency task force tasked with addressing the high rate of missing and murdered Native American women and girls. Native American women in certain tribal communities are 10 times more likely to be murdered... Read More »
New Mexico violent crime, domestic terrorism examined
A group of New Mexico federal and state elected officials recently met in Santa Fe to address potential action to decrease violent crime and domestic terrorism risks in the state. Officials said U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Deb Haaland (D-NM) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) joined New... Read More »
CBP Buffalo Field Office seizures rising, report finds
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said the agency’s Buffalo Field Office has experienced a 30 percent increase in narcotic seizures in 2019 over fiscal year 2018. “The employees in the Buffalo Field Office work vigilantly throughout the year to protect our borders,” Richard... Read More »
Michigan congressional delegation urges Air Force to pick Selfridge for F-35A base
Members of the Michigan congressional delegation are urging the new Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett to select Selfridge Air National Guard Base to host the Air National Guard’s next F-35A operational base. In a letter to Barrett, 14 members of Congress from Michigan highlighted the... Read More »
NATO committee discusses electronic warfare strategies
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) held its Electronic Warfare Advisory Committee (NEWAC) meeting this week to discuss electronic warfare (EW) and strategies and initiatives to counter it. Electronic warfare (EW) is a military action that exploits electromagnetic energy to provide... Read More »
Funds target local opioid addiction intervention
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has earmarked $4.5 million in grants to aid efforts to address the opioid crisis on the local level. “Since day one, the Trump Administration’s whole-of-government approach has aimed to accomplish one overarching goal: prevent... Read More »
International Conference of the States Parties address progress, direction of Chemical Weapons Convention
The 24th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is gathering this week in The Hague to address new projects, encourage cooperation, and chart the progress of their shared endeavor. “The recent use of chemical weapons, as well as the potential... Read More »
America’s land grant universities poised to support nation’s agro-defense efforts
The nation’s land grant universities play an important role in helping the federal government bolster agro-defense, according to scientists, policymakers, industry and academic leaders who participated in a recent Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense event held at Colorado State University... Read More »
Senators advocate for increased election security funding in 2020 budget
A group of 39 Democratic senators recently sent a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging the panels to better fund election security. The senators requested funding for election security grants and for the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in the... Read More »
Senate advances bill to form National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium
The U.S. Senate approved legislation that would formally charter a National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC). The consortium would include the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, the University of Arkansas, the University of Memphis, and... Read More »
Senate advances bill promoting stronger cybersecurity coordination between DHS, state and local governments
With the advancement of U.S. Sens. Gary Peters’ (D-MI) and Rob Portman’s (R-OH) State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act, the Senate has signaled encouragement to federal authorities to coordinate better with state and local governments. “State and local governments with limited... Read More »
CBP implementing El Paso facial biometric technology
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently introduced biometric facial comparison technology at the El Paso Port of Entry as a means of enhancing security and streamlining travel. “CBP uses biometric facial comparison technology to create a secure and seamless traveler experience at U.S.... Read More »
Senators concerned about issuance of export licenses related to Huawei
Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) were among a group of U.S. Senators that expressed their concerns that the U.S. Department of Commerce has started issuing export licenses to U.S. firms to do business with Huawei Technologies. Huawei, the Chinese telecom company, was added to the... Read More »
Hruby, Seydel join Nuclear Threat Initiative board
Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) officials said Jill Hruby and Laura Turner Seydel have joined the organization’s Board of Directors, “We are so pleased to welcome these outstanding leaders to NTI’s board,” Ernest J. Moniz, NTI co-chair and CEO, said. “Jill brings tremendous technical... Read More »
CBP, counterparts explore Enhance Preclearance efficiency, effectiveness
Efforts to enhance Preclearance efficiency and effectiveness served as the prime focus during the recent Preclearance Port Directors Summit in Abu Dhabi. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials met with counterparts from the Department of State and the United Arab Emirates personnel during... Read More »
Sens. Moran, Cortez Masto sponsor bill to research deepfakes
U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced a bill to fund research into ways of detecting “deepfakes.” Deepfakes are online videos that are manipulated to realistically mimic a person’s identity. This legislation would seek to raise awareness of deepfakes... Read More »
Senate banking Committee advances bill to extend terrorism risk insurance
The Senate Banking Committee advanced legislation to extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program for seven years. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program was established following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The program – created after Congress passed the Terrorism Risk... Read More »
GAO offers recommendation for TSA training coordination
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) a recommendation to enhance the agency’s security training program coordination efforts. After conducting a review of the TSA’s approach, the GAO has recommended the TSA Administrator... Read More »
Chinese biotechnology dominates U.S. Senate hearing on biological threats
China is rapidly gaining on the United States when it comes to creating technology that mitigates disease threats and developing pharmaceuticals faster, and it’s a phenomenon driven by a philosophy that the state, military, and the private sector are one in the same. That was the testimony of... Read More »
U.S. Senate holds hearing on Chinese talent recruitment plans
The U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing on a report on a Chinese program that captures U.S. Intellectual property. Through its “talent recruitment plans” launched in the 1990s, China began recruiting U.S.-based scientists and researchers and providing... Read More »
House Committee advances Rep. Spanberger’s 5G bill
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced legislation to protect 5G and next-generation wireless communications systems in the United States. The bill -- the Secure 5G and Beyond Act – was introduced by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). The bill would require the Trump... Read More »
Democratic senators address DHS over cybersecurity funding shortfall
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), send a letter Tuesday to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address a shortfall in funding efforts meant to support state and local data sharing and cybersecurity. The... Read More »