Policy
Legislators urge against replacement delays for Ground Based Strategic Deterrent
Lawmakers are urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to prevent delaying the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) as a replacement for the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) recently joined a group of legislators in forwarding correspondence to... Read More »
GAO issues security measure recommendations for Transportation Security Administration
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) three recommendations regarding security measure implementation and stakeholder involvement in such endeavors. The GAO report showed that the TSA’s process does not clearly define when or... Read More »
US, UK sign deal allowing law enforcement to demand data from tech companies
The United States and the United Kingdom entered into a recent agreement that will allow law enforcement agencies to demand electronic data from tech companies in either country for serious crimes. The US-UK Bilateral Data Access Agreement would apply to serious crimes, including terrorism,... Read More »
Funds earmarked for California fire protection
California’s Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority (SVFRA) recently received $3,382,458 grant funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s SAFER program. Authorities said the allotment would fund 12 Firefighter/Paramedic positions, enabling an increase in staffing levels on... Read More »
File, Jr. named IDSA president
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) this week named Dr. Thomas File, Jr. as its newest president, along with five new board members. File intends to lead the organization in a fight against antimicrobial resistance, developing relationships with state and regional infectious... Read More »
Senate resolution recognizes October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month
A U.S. Senate resolution recently recognized October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2019. This year’s theme is “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.” The goal is to emphasize personal accountability and to take proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity. Key areas of focus this year... Read More »
USDA appoints Clavijo as National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility director
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials have appointed Dr. Alfonso Clavijo as director of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). The NBAF, which is currently under construction by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is a research and diagnostic facility designed to... Read More »
DHS issues REAL ID compliance reminder
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reminding U.S. citizens that, beginning Oct. 1, 2020, all air travelers must be REAL ID-compliant to fly within the United States. Travelers must present a REAL ID driver's license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license or other acceptable forms of... Read More »
DARPA seeks advancements in urban autonomous swarm tactics, technologies to enhance physical testbeds
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced intentions to enhance collective autonomous systems in a way that will support urban troop offensives, and to that end, are seeking proposals for operational swarm tactics and new technologies to integrate into these swarms. It is... Read More »
Newly selected Space Command leader speaks to importance of US Space Force
(Corrects paragraph 4 to reflect the location of U.S. Space Command headquarters has not yet been decided.) Air Force Gen. John Raymond, who was selected in August by President Donald Trump to lead the U.S. Space Command, recently emphasized the need for U.S. superiority in an increasingly... Read More »
New technology may aid emergency preparedness
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has earmarked funds to aid the development of new technology that could bolster emergency preparedness by producing platelets outside the human body. If the two-year, $4.9 million agreement between HHS Biomedical Advanced Research and Development... Read More »
Congressmen ask acting DNI director about fighting white supremacy
Two House subcommittee chairmen recently sent a letter to Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, requesting information about how the intelligence community (IC) is combatting the growing threat of transnational, white supremacist terrorism. At a joint subcommittee hearing last... Read More »
Rep. Upton turns to CDC for information in wake of Eastern equine encephalitis deaths in Michigan
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a mosquito-borne virus, recently led to the deaths of three Michigan residents, and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) is pressing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for details of their efforts to halt it. In addition to the three fatalities, EEE... Read More »
Bills bolster security screening, DHS intelligence
The House of Representatives advanced last week four bills designed to support the traveler security screening process and enhance the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intelligence apparatus. Officials touted the potential benefits the Trusted Traveler Reconsideration and Restoration Act of... Read More »
Effort addresses Central American irregular migration
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials said the agency recently initiated an effort designed to increase collaboration between America and Honduras regarding combating irregular migration through Central America. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan has signed two... Read More »
House advances opioid trafficking act
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced last week bipartisan legislation that would create a task force within the Department of Homeland Security. The Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act is aimed at preventing foreign fentanyl and other opioids from entering the country. The... Read More »
Federal government needs to strengthen its approach to terrorism, expert says
The federal government needs to take a public-health approach for at-risk individuals and strengthen partnerships with civilian researchers to combat the rise of violent far-right terrorism, according to William Braniff, a terrorism expert. Braniff recently testified to the U.S. Senate Committee... Read More »
CBP initiates facial recognition technology at Detroit Metro Airport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has initiated Simplified Arrival at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) as a means of modernizing international arrivals by matching travelers to documents using face comparison technology. CBP is committed to implementing an integrated biometric... Read More »
Sen. Grassley unveils bipartisan bill to bolster security oversight of EB-5 investor program
On the heels of new regulations issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updating the EB-5 visa program that go into effect on Nov. 21, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Tuesday proposed a bipartisan bill that would expand the authority of the U.S. Department of Homeland... Read More »
New report assesses world’s ability to protect itself from health emergencies
A new report issued by leaders in international health says the world may face great risk from pathogens, including a rapidly moving, highly lethal pandemic projected to kill 50 to 80 million people and wiping out nearly 5 percent of the world’s economy. High-impact respiratory pathogens, such... Read More »
Florida lawmakers advocate fighter jet basing
A group of Florida lawmakers recently urged the Air Force to consider the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing for the next series of F-35 basing decisions. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) was joined by Reps. John Rutherford (R-FL), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Michael Waltz (R-FL) and Mario... Read More »
Senate advances bill bolstering cybersecurity in public, private sector
The U.S. Senate advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) designed to enhance cybersecurity in the public and private sector. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act requires DHS to establish... Read More »
HHS Secretary Azar co-hosts Ebola preparedness and response discussion at UN General Assembly
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar co-hosted Wednesday the “Meeting of Regional Ministers of Health on Ebola Preparedness and Response” during the 74th United Nations General Assembly. Foremost on the ministers’ minds were the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the... Read More »
Cybersecurity bill advances through House committee
The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee recently advanced legislation that would establish a cybersecurity advisory committee to the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Committee. The goal of the advisory committee would be to advise and consult the director as well as... Read More »
Colorado law enforcement personnel attend darknet training course
Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) Cyber Crimes Center and the Illicit Finance and Proceeds of Crime Unit recently taught a darknet training course to more than 100 local and state law enforcement personnel in Colorado. The goal was to provide information on darknet... Read More »
GAO stresses need for oversight of DOD transportation fee account balances
Since the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) began selling foreign partners defense items and services through its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, it has charged a transportation fee, but those account balances have now grown by more than 1300 percent, without guidance or proper adjustments.... Read More »
Bill targets telecommunications supply chain security
A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation designed to aid in securing the nation’s telecommunications supply chain. Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) have joined Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Brett Guthrie (R-KY)... Read More »
BIO supports public health executive order
Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) leaders are expressing support for a recently signed public health order focusing on vaccine technology development, prioritization, and emphasizing vaccination importance. President Donald Trump announced the executive order in advance of what is... Read More »
CISA conducts emergency response exercise in Pennsylvania
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently held a test of emergency response plans in Hershey, Pa., in conjunction with local and state organizations. The test assessed tactical response and coordination to a complex and coordinated attack. The exercise was in the... Read More »
CDC designated as a Collaborating Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Center for Global Health was designated as a Collaborating Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The designation -- the first awarded to a CDC/WHO collaborating... Read More »
ASPR’s Kadlec: Smallpox one of many biothreats U.S. must anticipate
The Sept. 14 gas explosion that stoked a fire at a Russian bioweapons facility in Siberia where viruses and bacteria including smallpox, Ebola and anthrax are stored reminded the world that humans are only one catastrophic biological event away from a pandemic that could kill tens of millions of... Read More »
Executive order aims to modernize nation’s vaccines
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense to propose a plan and budget to modernize the development of flu vaccines. The plan must be submitted within 120 days. The goal is to improve preparedness for... Read More »
IDSA reviews Congressional funding allocations for health concerns
Proposed funding allocations by the Senate Appropriations Committee address some of the most urgent threats to public and individual, the Infectious Diseases Society of America said. The bill’s allotment of $168.5 million for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)... Read More »
Legislation targets criminal activities related to money laundering
The House of Representatives has advanced a measure sponsored by Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) designed to aid the effort to stop money laundering supporting criminal activity. The legislation was advanced with unanimous support. The Advancing Innovation (AI) to Assist Law Enforcement Act... Read More »