U.S. Policy
The Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University recently examined the global effectiveness of “See Something, Say Something” programs in preventing terrorist attacks on public surface transportation and discovered the programs prevent between 10 percent and 14 percent of... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) introduced legislation Thursday that seeks to reaffirm U.S. commitment to promoting global health security.
The Global Health Security Act would codify how the United States prepares for and responds to public health threats. Typically,... Read More »
A group of lawmakers is opposing a proposal to use Department of Defense funds to build border wall barriers along the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona.
Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) maintain assessing further upgrades of the... Read More »
A review of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the office could improve upon its communication methods with stakeholders.
The OEC offers a range of services and assistance to first... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) released this week the latest Terror Threat Snapshot, which assesses efforts highlighting growing threats to America, the West, and the world.
The report included details of the Nov. 1 deportation of Dias Muratovich Kadyrbayev, 24,... Read More »
FBI officials have released information regarding law enforcement agency use of its National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) in 2017, noting the transition to the more informative crime reporting system.
Authorities cited the system's more detailed data collection capabilities, stating... Read More »
An Ohio man has been arrested and charged in connection with plans to launch an attack on a synagogue in Toledo, according to Department of Justice officials.
Damon M. Joseph, 21, of Holland, Ohio, was charged in federal court with one count of attempting to provide material support to the... Read More »
In an effort to tackle obstacles facing electronics advancement of the last 50 years, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently launched phase two of its Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI).
ERI is a five-year, $1.5 billion program to tackle obstacles facing advanced... Read More »
The number and percentage of aliens seeking admission or unlawfully entering the United States who assert fear of persecution or apply for asylum have increased, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Those who claim fear or seek asylum, believe they will be harmed if they are... Read More »
Thirty years ago, Nancy Connell was working to get thousands of scientists, including Nobel laureates, to sign a pledge presented at the United Nations, an agreement that said they would not knowingly engage in research that would lead to the development of a biological weapon.
Connell was a... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Blue Campaign is sharing resources with United Airlines in a new partnership meant to counter human trafficking.
Under this joint endeavor, the Blue Campaign’s awareness materials will be co-branded with United Airlines and used to support that... Read More »
The DHS Data Framework Act, which seeks to unify protective measures for the country’s information-sharing system, was recently advanced by the U.S. Senate.
“We live in an increasingly connected world and must be able to get the right information to the right people at the right time in... Read More »
In the wake of damage to Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB) caused by Hurricane Michael, the U.S. Air Force is recommending the base be rebuilt to house the F-35 Lightning II fighter.
Air Force officials are advocating Congress use supplemental funding for rebuilding the base, noting a preliminary... Read More »
The New York Police Department (NYPD) announced last week the agency will be launching an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program, which will be comprised of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones, and the licensed NYPD officers in the Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU) who will operate... Read More »
Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), John Kennedy (R-LA) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced last week a bill that would fully fund the border wall southern section.
The four legislators said the WALL Act also serves as the first bill that will fund the wall by identifying specific funding... Read More »
Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) recently introduced a bill designed to bolster cybersecurity efforts by requiring a cyber-vulnerabilities disclosure program (VDP) to address deficiencies.
The Public-Private Cybersecurity Cooperation Act would require the Department of Homeland... Read More »
BAE Systems recently was awarded two indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts totaling more than $150 million with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD).
Both contracts support the sustainment and rapid integration of command, control, communications, computers,... Read More »
The Senate advanced Wednesday the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (ARIA), which serves as a policy framework to enhance American leadership in the Indo-Pacific region.
The measure, authored by Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), also... Read More »
Six U.S. senators introduced a resolution Wednesday that holds Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman accountable for contributing for a variety of actions including the unjustified killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lindsey Graham... Read More »
U.S. Reps Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn Thompson (R-PA), introduced legislation Monday that provides resources to develop cybersecurity education programs at technical schools.
The Cybersecurity Education Integration Act would establish a competitive grant program to add cybersecurity into new... Read More »
A coalition of national organizations representing public health, healthcare providers, biotechnology companies, and researchers this week urged congressional leaders to swiftly approve the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation (PAHPAI) Act of 2018 before Congress adjourns... Read More »
The Transportation Security Administration released Tuesday its first Cybersecurity Roadmap, a guide that prioritizes the administration’s cybersecurity efforts.
The guide highlights efforts both within the TSA and the transportation systems sector. It is part of the 2018-2026 TSA Strategy... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) announced Tuesday his support for criminal justice reform legislation recently proposed in Congress.
The First Step Act (S.3649) would reduce federal recidivism and crime, prepare inmates for a successful return to society, enhance prison security and officer safety,... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is reaching out to startups as a means of bolstering anti-forgery and counterfeiting capabilities for digital documentation.
The request is being made through a new solicitation, “Preventing Forgery and... Read More »
Army Sgt. First Class Ikaika Erik Kang has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
Officials said Kang, 35, formerly stationed at Schofield Barracks, was sentenced to 240 months on Counts 2, 3 and 4 to run... Read More »
The Coast Guard Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently launched two 6U CubeSats as a means of evaluating the effectiveness of space-based sensors in support of... Read More »
Several U.S. senators have expressed concern with President Donald Trump expressed intention to pull the United States out of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty.
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is an arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, then... Read More »
AAR recently secured a five-year, $51 million U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) contract to perform support services for Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System Boeing 737 series aircraft.
The agreement covers maintenance and logistical work for the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation... Read More »
House lawmakers recently advanced the Federal CIO Authorization Act of 2018, which officials said strengthens national cybersecurity by elevating and reauthorizing the role of the Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO).
House IT Subcommittee Chair Will Hurd (R-TX) and Ranking Member Robin Kelly... Read More »
Andrew Scharnweber, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol, was selected in late November as Deputy Chief Patrol Agent for the agency’s Buffalo sector.
That new authority makes him one of the top figures governing the security of New York’s and Pennsylvania’s ports of entry. It also... Read More »
A group of U.S. Senators recently introduced legislation that would stop the United States from entering into a 21st Century nuclear arms race.
The Prevention of Arms Race Act of 2018 is sponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Edward Markey... Read More »
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) is urging progression toward the Navy meeting its goal of a 355-ship fleet, which became policy when President Donald Trump signed the Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas (SHIPS) Act into law last year.
Wicker, chairman of the Senate Seapower... Read More »
Federal officials are pushing for the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018 (PAHPA), which was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in September, to be signed into law this year.
In a discussion on Wednesday hosted by the Alliance for Biosecurity... Read More »
A group of lawmakers recently praised the House advancement of legislation designed to reduce worldwide violence, enhance engagement, and address instability in other countries.
Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Ted Poe (R-TX), Adam Smith (D-WA) and Bill Keating (D-MA) said the... Read More »
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued three recommendations to improve how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspects air carriers and assesses foreign airports in regards to U.S.-bound air cargo.
The GAO examined the TSA’s screening process to monitor the... Read More »
