Policy
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 »
DHS unveils terrorism, targeted violence strategy
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kevin K. McAleenan recently unveiled the agency’s plan to address terrorism and targeted violence during an event co-hosted by the Heritage Foundation. The DHS Strategic Framework for Combating Terrorism and Targeted Violence at the Brookings... Read More »
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense considers cyberbiosecurity threats
There’s a new word on the street that packs a lot of punch: cyberbiosecurity, which is introducing a host of new multilayered threats to biodefense. Members of the newly named Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense — formerly the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense — last week sought a... Read More »
Esper encourages military adaptability
During an address at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber conference, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper encouraged military adaptability against potential space threats and cyberattacks. Esper also said the emergence of Russia and China also expedites the need for adaptable... Read More »
Federal funding earmarked for election security
In anticipation of the 2020 elections, federal lawmakers have approved $250 million in support of state and local governments’ efforts to strengthen election security. The Senate Appropriations Committee recently granted approval to the allotment via an amendment to the Financial Services and... Read More »
Western Maryland receives $5.6M grant for first responders
The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency recently awarded Western Maryland more than $5.6 million through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The bulk of the funding, $5.5 million, was awarded to Frederick County while... Read More »
DEA sets strategy to combat drug, opioid addiction in Southern Massachusetts
The U.S. Department of Drug Enforcement (DEA) is initiating an effort to combat the drug abuse epidemic in the South Coast region of Massachusetts. The DEA is initiating a “360 Strategy” in that region – which is a comprehensive diversion control, law enforcement, and prevention program to... Read More »
Senate bill would prohibit buying drones from countries deemed national security threats
Legislation that would prohibit the U.S. government from procuring drones manufactured by covered foreign entities identified as national security threats was introduced in the U.S. Senate this week. The American Security Drone Act of 2019 was introduced by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick... Read More »
HHS Secretary meets with Ugandan President to discuss Ebola response efforts
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar met with the Republic of Uganda President Yoweri Museveni this week to discuss a multilateral response to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The United States has long had a partnership with Uganda on... Read More »
Measure targets extreme weather preparedness
Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) and Daniel Webster (R-FL) introduced legislation Tuesday designed to enhance extreme weather events preparedness by establishing best practices to protect communities while saving taxpayer money. The PREPARE Act would create an interagency council to provide... Read More »