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Saturday, May 4th, 2024

U.S. Policy

Senate hearing explores need for national 5G strategy

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing last week focusing on the secure rollout of 5G networks, supply chain risks associated with 5G equipment, and the need for a national 5G strategy. 5G is the industry term that refers to the latest evolution in mobile... Read More »

Sen. Brown touts public safety appropriations

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced last week that he helped secure important victories for the state that bolster public safety while also enhancing Ohio law enforcement under a recently approved Senate appropriations package. “One of the most important roles of government is keeping... Read More »

Funds announced for Chicagoland firefighter resources

Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced last week over $11 million in federal funding would aid efforts to bolster firefighting efforts in Chicagoland communities. The $11,194,763.84 funding allotment is being provided through the Department of Homeland Security, Federal... Read More »

Bipartisan bill authorizes grants for border security

Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the Senate would authorize the Operation Stonegarden program, which provides state, local, and tribal law enforcement grants to assist in border security. Under the bill, the program would be authorized through 2024 at $110 million annually. The bill... Read More »

House committee advances bill to secure 5G networks

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced legislation that would protect 5G telecommunications systems and mobile infrastructure in the United States. The bill -- the Secure 5G and Beyond Act -- would require the administration to develop an unclassified, national strategy to maximize... Read More »

Bill bolsters local government cybersecurity

A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently introduced a measure designed to strengthen local government cybersecurity defenses by switching to the .gov domain for websites and email addresses. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) joined Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and James Lankford... Read More »

Bill would provide benefits for Ready Reserve Corps.

Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Michael Burgess (R-TX) introduced a bill that allows the Ready Reserve Corps members to be paid retirement benefits. The Ready Reserve Corps is a pool of trained personnel who may be deployed to assist in public health crises and emergency response missions. The... Read More »

Bill seeks to cut nuclear weapons budget

Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) reintroduced Tuesday legislation is designed to reduce the nation’s nuclear weapons budget by $75 billion over the next decade. The Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures (SANE) Act would enhance national security and cut what they... Read More »

Democrats decry reports of Trump bid at acting DHS head

The chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security opened Wednesday’s hearing on global terrorism criticizing President Donald Trump and his bid to name a new acting director of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on the day before Kevin McAleenan was scheduled to end his five-month... Read More »

Task force created to combat anti-Semitism

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee launched the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism this week. The purpose of the task force is to collaborate with advocates, state and local governments, federal agencies, law enforcement, clergy, educators, and... Read More »

Bill addresses energy research, development

Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) recently introduced a measure reauthorizing Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) funding, noting it advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies in early development stages. The ARPA-E... Read More »

DHS expands Migrant Protection Protocols sites

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now has six ports of entry Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) sites in the wake of establishing expansion at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry. Migrants attempting to enter the country via the southwest border regardless of location may be returned to Mexico... Read More »

FEMA, Pennsylvania conduct mass care exercise

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III recently conducted an exercise in Central Pennsylvania to test the state’s ability to provide mass care services during a winter storm event leading to power outages and flooding. The Mass Care Tabletop Exercise was held with the... Read More »

Challenge targets disaster response, resilience

Three agencies within the Department of Commerce have initiated a $1 million initiative they said is designed to accelerate disaster response and resilience technology. The Economic Development Administration (EDA), in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)... Read More »

GAO issues new disaster resilience guidelines

Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued last week new disaster resilience guidelines to help entities refine responses to the growing threat posed by natural disasters. Disaster Resilience Framework: Principles for Analyzing Federal Efforts to Facilitate and Promote Resilience to Natural... Read More »

Bill targets DHS immigration enforcement concerns

A group of Democratic senators introduced a bill last week that addresses southwest border challenges while improving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) border community engagement. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tom Udall (D-NM) joined colleagues in supporting the Homeland... Read More »

Senators ask for security assessment of Chinese platforms

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) have requested the intelligence community conduct an assessment of the potential national security risks from China-owned content platforms operating in the United States. The formal request was sent to Acting Director... Read More »

Few countries prepared for global disease outbreaks

Countries are not prepared for the possible international spread of new or emerging pathogens or for the deliberate or accidental release of dangerous agents, according to a new index that assesses the capabilities of 195 nations. The Global Health Security Index is a joint project by the... Read More »

Senate bill seeks to reduce mass shootings

A group of Senate Republicans recently introduced the Restoring, Enhancing, Strengthening, and Promoting Our Nation’s Safety Efforts (RESPONSE) Act, which would provide law enforcement with new tools, expand resources for mental health treatment and boost school safety. Law enforcement would... Read More »

Senate bill would thwart prescription drug diversion

Legislation that would prevent drug diversion in real-time was introduced in the Senate this week by Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Chris Coons (D-DE). The Suspicious Order Identification Act of 2019 to enhance oversight related to prescription drug diversion. Currently, law enforcement or other... Read More »