U.S. Policy
Federal, state, and local officials discussed efforts to disrupt the flow of illegal opioids into communities and to break up criminal networks during a field hearing held on Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pa.
The hearing, “Opioids in the Homeland: DHS Coordination with State and Local Partners to... Read More »
In response to evolving terror threats, the U.S. House of Representatives approved bills on Tuesday to enhance federal efforts to protect against vehicular terrorism and to establish a federal laboratory to develop new technologies for use by law enforcers and first responders.
U.S. Rep. Dan... Read More »
A $55.15 billion homeland security appropriations bill that emphasizes border security, cybersecurity, the nationwide opioid epidemic, and state and local support cleared the U.S.
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on Tuesday.
The Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security... Read More »
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently conducted a nuclear proliferation reporting analysis, determining the documents did not address several requirements and lacked vital details.
The work stemmed from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015, which... Read More »
The U.S. Senate approved a national defense spending bill for fiscal year 2019 Monday that totals $716 billion, including a $550 million increase in military readiness funding to address critical shortfalls and a $450 million increase in military facilities sustainment funding.
The Fiscal Year... Read More »
Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) announced last week their support of legislation prioritizing urgent public health and research priorities.
“We look forward to learning more about allocations to the Prevention and Public Health Fund and hope to see robust support for... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Treasury issued sanctions against five Russian entities and three Russian individuals last week for engaging in “significant malicious cyber-enabled activities.”
The Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued sanctions against one entity... Read More »
The United States may be prepared for emerging biological terror and disease outbreaks, but members of Congress questioned during a recent hearing whether coordination among federal agencies, local health departments, and private companies are optimal to tackle such threats.
The purpose of... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is assisting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in drafting a report assessing hurricane damage in Puerto Rico and outlining a plan to rebuild that is due to Congress by Aug. 8.
DHS S&T has... Read More »
Oshkosh Defense, LLC has secured a $159.6 million government contract for 771 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) after the Army Contracting Command placed the four additional orders.
Oshkosh Defense was first awarded the FMTV A1P2 contract in 2009.
The current generation FMTV is... Read More »
Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are seeking to amend the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to ensure Congress continues a role in authorizing the development of new nuclear weapons.
The senators said the amendment is needed because the Trump Administration is... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made progress in managing the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
DHS established the CFATS program in 2007 to identify and assess the security risk... Read More »
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued Wednesday a series of recommendations to the Department of Defense (DOD), as a means of resolving ongoing data access issues with suppliers.
GAO officials said while the DOD relies on a network of suppliers to provide the materials and equipment... Read More »
President Donald Trump would be barred from unilaterally withdrawing nearly 30,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in South Korea under a measure introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday.
U.S Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced an amendment to the... Read More »
Amid ongoing debate on the annual national defense spending bill in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) highlighted the importance of policies that support domestic manufacturing and penalize manufacturers that ship jobs overseas on Wednesday.
Donnelly, a member of the U.S. Senate Armed... Read More »
Top nuclear experts maintain the global nonproliferation regime is not faring well in today’s current policy climate, according to a recent Simson Center hosted discussion on The Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) at Fifty.
Susan Burk, former special representative of the President for Nuclear... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced this week the initiation of an effort designed to require the submission of advanced air cargo information on shipments arriving in the United States from a foreign location.
Although the Air Cargo... Read More »
Firearms dealers that engage in illegal sales practices would face stronger oversight from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and stiffer penalties under a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday.
U.S. Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI), Ted Deutch (D-FL), and Gwen... Read More »
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is partnering with BAE Systems to develop software aiding military planners in understanding and addressing dynamics driving world conflicts.
Through a $4.2 million Phase 1 contract awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the... Read More »
Touting the achievement as a testament to the effort’s continued progress and momentum, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin recently delivered the 300th production aircraft to the Air Force.
Pentagon officials said the 300th aircraft, a U.S. Air Force F-35A, was delivered to... Read More »
Ahead of the summit between the United States and North Korea in Singapore, U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced a measure that would prohibit war with North Korea without congressional authorization.
The amendment to the John S. McCain National Defense... Read More »
Amid China’s growing influence around the world, a bipartisan group of senators raised concerns on Monday about Chinese efforts to undermine democratic institutions, weaken U.S. relationships abroad and interfere with financial markets.
The letter was sent to U.S. Secretary of State Mike... Read More »
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) led a five-day operation in New Jersey last week that resulted in the detention of 91 foreign nationals suspected of being criminal aliens, illegally re-entering the country or violating other immigration laws, the agency announced Monday.
The... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Task Force has launched an online training course designed to educate social media companies about how terrorists may seek to exploit their platforms.
The training course, called “Countering Terrorists Exploitation... Read More »
Officers in the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), a program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have for seven decades tackled some of the most pressing public health challenges in the United States and abroad.
However, student loans might deter many potential EIS officers, who... Read More »
The Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP), which was created in 2005 to help West African nations counter terrorism and extremism, would be permanently authorized under a bill introduced last week in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program will embark on a national tour this month to educate small businesses about funding opportunities through SBIR and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
Sponsored by the Small... Read More »
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) recently introduced an amendment to the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, increasing the Buy American requirements to 100 percent domestic content.
Murphy, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the revision... Read More »
The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Terror Threat Snapshot for June highlights growing concerns about terrorists gaining access to existing smuggling routes between the United States and Mexico.
Rear Admiral Brian Hendrickson, director of the U.S. Southern Command Network Engagement... Read More »
Cyber responsibilities within the U.S. Air Force will move from Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) to Air Combat Command (ACC), the Air Force announced.
The realignment designates ACC as the lead Air Force command responsible for organizing, training and equipping Air Forces to conduct cyber... Read More »
Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Peter King (R-NY) recently praised the efforts of the House Committee on Homeland Security in advancing legislation designed to address opioid trafficking.
The congressmen said passage of their Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act allows the Department... Read More »
A draft of the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released Wednesday outlines $68 billion in spending for the global war on terror, $144 for military personnel and pay, and $245.9 billion for operation and maintenance, including key readiness programs.
The U.S.... Read More »
A bill that would authorize $50 million in federal grants for state and local governments to combat gang activity through 2021 cleared the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday with bipartisan support.
U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) introduced the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant... Read More »
Members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on Wednesday considered proposed updates to the nation’s law on preparing for and responding to national and global public health emergencies resulting from any chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) agent, toxin,... Read More »
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said wildfire recovery funds are available via the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
The initiative spans Fire Management Assistance declarations for fiscal years 2017-2018 from Oct. 1, 2016, through Sept. 30, 2018, noting 85 events in 19... Read More »
