U.S. Policy
Bipartisan legislation that would direct the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish tests and vaccinations to America’s military veterans during public health emergencies was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Veterans’ Access to Care Concerning... Read More »
State funding for public health departments has dropped by 16 percent since 2010, and these same departments have lost a quarter of their workforce in the last decade.
How can the United States adequately prepare for the next pandemic when the public health infrastructure is woefully... Read More »
Biden administration officials said efforts are underway to bolster critical infrastructure protections in the wake of expanding and continuous cyber threats.
President Joe Biden's recent signing of a National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) is imploring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the solicitation of resources to combat California wildfires.
During a recent Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) hearing, Padilla questioned Secretary of Homeland... Read More »
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Frank Kendall as the 26th Secretary of the Air Force, with officials lauding his decades-long record of service amid efforts to navigate global challenges.
Kendall previously served in various Department of Defense senior capacities, including the Pentagon’s... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) joined U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY) in urging the rejection of efforts to expand military draft registrations.
“Our professional, all-volunteer military is the finest fighting force in the world,” the legislators... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) recently reintroduced the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2021, which seeks to address the rising number of smash-and-grab thefts targeted at federally licensed gun dealers venues.
The lawmakers cited a Bureau of Alcohol,... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Kathy Manning (D-NC), and Peter Meijer (R-MI) introduced Monday a resolution designed to encourage the European Union's (EU) full designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
The EU solely includes Hezbollah's military wing - separate... Read More »
For the launch of the third series of the Virtual Whole-of-Government Research and Development (R&D) Showcase this week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is looking to address upcoming scientific fields changing the world and how it handles... Read More »
Aligning with its Plan for Use of Border Barrier Funds, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is terminating two Laredo Sector border barrier contracts.
CBP officials said the contracts are unnecessary to address any life, safety,... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) recently secured a series of major priorities in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Senate’s annual defense bill.
Secured provisions include continued development and fielding of protective body armor designed specifically for female troops, improved... Read More »
In a letter written to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), more than 70 U.S. representatives and senators have called for providing up to $34 billion to speed up COVID-19 vaccine production for global use.
“No investment in the fight... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced legislation Thursday designed to safeguard America’s critical infrastructure networks against cybersecurity threats.
The bill would require the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security... Read More »
The Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force recently released final report findings and recommendations regarding threats and vulnerabilities.
“Throughout the pandemic, U.S. adversaries like China weaponized supply chain vulnerabilities in a way that threatened Americans’ health and... Read More »
A group of lawmakers recently urged the Biden administration to consider fulfilling a pledge to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in the nation's national security strategy.
U.S. Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA) and U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR)... Read More »
Drawing on funds from the American Rescue Plan, the Biden administration announced last week that its Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will invest more than $1.6 billion into testing and mitigation efforts focused on the communities most vulnerable to COVID-19.
“As we continue... Read More »
Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) to improve security at U.S. railways and mass transit systems advanced the U.S. House, the congresswoman announced Tuesday.
The Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act (H. R. 1870) would put more federal... Read More »
The U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced eight bills, which would promote more secure networks and supply chains while securing a wireless future.
The Secure Equipment Act of 2021 would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules... Read More »
Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) announced Tuesday that she has secured $30 million for the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill as a means of expanding COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act provisions.
The key spending bill is slated for the House of Representatives in anticipation of passage later this... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced Wednesday the Cyber Incident Notification Act of 2021, which seeks to make it mandatory for federal agencies, government contractors, and critical infrastructure to report cyber intrusions to the Cybersecurity... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) announced Tuesday his bill to combat human trafficking passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support.
The DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act would bolster the existing efforts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to combat human... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and David Trone (D-MD) recently introduced a bill that seeks to protect law enforcement personnel and other first responders from lethal substances such as fentanyl.
The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act would improve state and local government... Read More »
A newly introduced bill seeks to authorize utilizing individuals with expertise from other agencies to assist the Office of the National Cyber Director (NCD).
U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD), Rob Portman (R-OH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), and Gary Peters (D-MI) recently presented... Read More »
Pushing back against the string of cybersecurity threats instigated this year, the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a new Security Directive this week that requires owners and operators of critical pipelines to roll out urgent cyber protections.
“Secure... Read More »
The House of Representatives voted this week to advance the Securing America from Epidemics (SAFE) Act, which would authorize U.S. participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI).
CEPI is a public-private partnership focused on developing vaccines for highly infectious... Read More »
On Monday, the Infectious Diseases Society of America commended the U.S. House for appropriations that would bolster the fight against COVID-19 and HIV, antibiotic research and development, and global health security while combating the effects of the opioid crisis.
However, the organization... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Dwight Evans (D-PA) introduced Monday the Small Business Cyber Security Training Act, which seeks to aid small businesses in cyberattack preparedness.
The legislators indicated the legislation would assist the... Read More »
A fact sheet recently released by Homeland Security Republicans showed that southern border activity demonstrates the situation has become a humanitarian crisis involving thousands of migrants.
According to the report, border crossings this year included more than 1.1 million illegal crossings... Read More »
A group of Oregon lawmakers led by U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) is encouraging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make efforts to maximize wildfire preparedness initiatives.
Merkley and DeFazio, chair of the House Transportation and... Read More »
Given the destructive nature of the past year and a half under the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) last week introduced two bills to strengthen pandemic response and treat them as national security threats rather than political minefields.
First was the National Security... Read More »
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced Friday the final allocations for seven competitive preparedness grants for Fiscal Year 2021.
The $475 million in grants add to the nearly $1.5 billion in non-competitive grant funding announced earlier this year, bring to $2... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernest (R-IA) introduced legislation Wednesday that would require military and intelligence agencies to monitor the threat from terrorist organizations that could result from the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
Ernst, a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed... Read More »
Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials said the agencies have united with federal partners to launch a new website designed to combat ransomware attacks.
StopRansomware.gov serves as a hub for ransomware resources accessible to individuals,... Read More »
A bill seeking to prevent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Reservists from losing full-time employment when aiding community disaster response advanced the U.S. Senate last week.
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced the Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce... Read More »
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently issued the first Surgeon General's Advisory of this administration warning of the urgent dangers posed by health misinformation and disinformation, threatening COVID-19 vaccination efforts in the United States.
The American public needs to be aware... Read More »
