U.S. Policy
Hoping to address vulnerabilities in health systems throughout the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new cybersecurity implementation framework this week with specific steps for public and private healthcare organizations to pursue.
“Cyber incidents... Read More »
Pushing to crack down on technology from foreign adversaries of the United States, the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act was introduced this week in the Senate.
A product of U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Mark... Read More »
Through the Fiscal Year 2023 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week that it will fund $20 million for projects to prevent violence and terrorism at the state, local, Tribal and territorial levels.
The... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), and John Cornyn (R-TX) recently introduced a bill that seeks to enhance the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ability to combat human trafficking.
The Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma (IMPACTT)... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently introduced legislation that seeks to aid local fire departments with staffing, equipment, training, and emergency medical services improvement needs.
Specifically, the Fire Grants and... Read More »
Two bills first introduced in the 117th Congress were revived this week by House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) in a push to modernize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) satellite licensing rules.
The Satellite and... Read More »
Lawmakers are commending Senate approval of a measure they said seeks to aid first responders in coping with the stresses of responding to crisis situations.
U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) joined eight colleagues in co-sponsoring the Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress... Read More »
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine stretches onward, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) sought a new means of hitting the former through its economy, reintroducing the Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe (ESCAPE) Act (S.548) last week.
ESCAPE seeks to pull North Atlantic... Read More »
Looking to increase protections for veterans and their earned benefits, United States Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), along with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), introduced the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act (H.R.1179) last week.
“It takes real heartlessness to... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are espousing the benefits of initiating Low Energy Portal (LEP) scanning systems at the El Paso, Texas, Bridge of the Americas international crossing.
“The LEP system will scan arriving traffic, and the imagery generated will be used by CBP to... Read More »
Pledging to coordinate all tools at its disposal to protect national security, public safety, and the economy, the Biden administration revealed a new National Cybersecurity Strategy this week and proposed a rethink on how the United States tackles the digital sphere and its security.
The... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) recently introduced legislation to bolster tribal law enforcement and increase Indian Country public safety.
Specifically, the Bridging Agency Data Gaps & Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act would... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have forwarded correspondence to President Joe Biden, requesting that he take action to prevent future violations of U.S. airspace.
The letter stems from the circumstances surrounding a Chinese spy balloon initially publicly reported in... Read More »
With a reauthorization due date of Sept. 30, 2023, for the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), two House Energy and Commerce Committee members sought this week to get ahead of the issue with a request for information from public and private interests.
“Throughout COVID-19, our... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently reintroduced legislation seeking to aid in addressing law enforcement workforce challenges while bolstering recruitment initiatives.
The Recruit and Retain Act would increase officer... Read More »
While much attention is paid to the surge of crossings and smuggling at the United States-Mexico border, a coalition of 28 Republicans formed the Northern Border Security Caucus this week to advocate for greater safety at the U.S.-Canada border as well.
While the U.S.-Canada border is the... Read More »
The Defense Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) Office is touting President Joe Biden's recent signing of a waiver focusing on defense industrial base and supply chain resilience.
The action addresses some statutory requirements authorizing the Defense... Read More »
With the introduction of the Fire Grants and Safety Act in the Senate this week, a bipartisan collection of lawmakers sought to extend federal programs that support local fire departments, including two grant programs and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) at large.
Without an... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) and August Pfluger (R-TX) recently joined U.S. Reps. John Curtis (R-UT) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) to introduce legislation that would aid farmer and rancher cybersecurity efforts.
The Food and Agriculture Industry Cybersecurity Support Act would establish a food and... Read More »
In a bid to help local communities manage the costs of noncitizen arrivals in their area, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will award $350 million through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP-H).
Allocated under the... Read More »
Through eight preparedness grant programs this year, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will provide more than $2 billion in funding to state, local, Tribal, and territorial officials to prevent, protect against and respond to terrorism.
For Fiscal Year 2023, the grants... Read More »
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials, citing concerns regarding the lack of oversight of foreign acquisition of domestic agricultural land.
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined 29 bipartisan colleagues in sending the letter to... Read More »
The partnership between the U.S. Air Force and Space Force deepened this week with the creation of a Space Test Course – a new means of evaluation for Space Force personnel and space-flight equipment.
The new course will deploy at the Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California.... Read More »
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials are touting its AI (artificial intelligence) Forward initiative, detailing workshops the agency noted seek to explore new directions for trustworthy AI.
DARPA has scheduled two Summer 2023 workshops - a virtual event on June 13-16 and... Read More »
As a bipartisan effort, U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) introduced the U.S.-Taiwan Advanced Research Partnership Act last week that would allow new federal coordination and cooperation with Taiwan to research and prepare for cyber threats.
According to the 2023... Read More »
As introduced by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and five other representatives this week, the new Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act proposes closing a legislative loophole that foreign adversaries could use to influence U.S. policy.
Specifically, Miller-Meeks pointed the... Read More »
Three defense trade associations recently issued recommendations to modernize the domestic Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system elements.
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), and the Professional Services Council (PSC) detailed the... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chairs of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, recently forwarded correspondence to Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter, seeking insight regarding visa processing delays.
Moran and Klobuchar joined U.S. Sens.... Read More »
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is attributing a successful three-year investigation targeting the Sinaloa Drug Cartel to partnerships with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Tempe Police Department.
To date, more than 150 individuals have been charged, with investigators having... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced last week legislation that seeks to provide more concise information for consumers and small businesses regarding cybersecurity insurance policies.
The Insure Cybersecurity Act would direct the National... Read More »
In a challenge to supposed foreign adversarial influences on college campuses, U.S. Reps. Michelle Steele (R-CA) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY), along with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), introduced a bill last week that would empower removal proceedings against designated agents and increase scrutiny of... Read More »
With reintroduction of the Protecting Military Installations from Foreign Espionage Act last week, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) sought once more to make it illegal for certain U.S. adversaries from purchasing any land near military bases or areas.
“As our foreign enemies grow more... Read More »
For years, Tribal members and advocates have been trying to draw attention to what they call a crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and now, U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and John Hoeven (R-ND) have introduced legislation that takes it as a focus.
In the... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas recently detailed evolving homeland security challenges during the 59th Munich Security Conference.
While addressing senior Intelligence personnel, Mayorkas emphasized the importance of enhancing information-sharing... Read More »
A recently published Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Federal Register Notice is soliciting additional Section 321 Data Pilot
participants, which would aid shipment inspection efforts.
The Section 321 Data Pilot would enable CBP to partner with private sector supply chains to identify and... Read More »
