News
PREPARED for AI Act proposes guardrails for any federal use of artificial intelligence
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently introduced the PREPARED for AI Act, which calls for safeguards on any use of artificial intelligence (AI) by the federal government by the creation of certain standards focused on safe adoption and critical assessment. “Artificial... Read More »
Federal legislation proposes increased Congressional oversight of foreign transactions
U.S. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Zach Nunn (R-IA), and Bill Huizenga (R-MI) introduced legislation this week to increase congressional involvement in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). That legislation was dubbed the Foreign Investment Transparency and... Read More »
Bipartisan bill seeks new DoD plan to rein in Iranian space activities
Through the newly introduced Space Technology and Regional Security (STARS) Act, United States Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) seek new strategies and data-sharing agreements to curtail Iranian space activities. “The next step to ending Iranian aggression is by deepening the... Read More »
Bill introduced in House to enhance oversight of CFIUS
Legislation that seeks to increase Congressional oversight of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Specifically, the Foreign Investment Transparency and Accountability Act, sponsored by U.S. Reps. John... Read More »
Republican lawmakers introduce legislation banning DHS from buying Chinese batteries
This week, U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) introduced legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from procuring batteries from companies owned and operated by the People’s Republic of China. The Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act would... Read More »
Senate advances plans for Northern Border Coordination Center
Legislation by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) – Northern Border Coordination Act (S. 2291) – advanced through the chamber this week, putting their ideas for expanding coordination on northern border security into the hands of the House. If passed, the bill would... Read More »
Law enforcement seizes methamphetamine, fentanyl, and more, charges 47 in alleged drug trafficking ring
Raids in California this week culminated in charges against 47 alleged members of a Sinaloa Cartel-linked drug trafficking network and the seizure of more than 4 kilograms of fentanyl, 324 kilograms of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroine and dozens of firearms. More than 400 federal, state and... Read More »
House committee leaders introduce bill empowering federal agencies to counter drone threats
In a joint effort, a bipartisan collection of leaders from the House committees on homeland security, transportation and infrastructure, and judiciary, recently introduced the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act to maintain and expand federal anti-drone... Read More »
Othram forensic sequencing lab chosen for $1.25M Small Business Innovation Research contract
The AFWERX arm of the Air Force Research Laboratory recently awarded a $1.25 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract to Othram for advancements to forensic DNA sequencing technology. Othram is a forensic sequencing lab for law enforcement. As of this May, it began... Read More »
April National Cyber Crime Conference drew record numbers looking to refine training
More than 1,000 law enforcement officers from local, state, federal and international organizations attended the National Cyber Crime Conference this April, making use of the opportunity to expand their knowledge and tools for dealing with cyber incidents. While the event has been ongoing since... Read More »
Senate Intelligence Authorization Act advances unanimously out of committee
The Senate Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, which contains several provisions on funding, legal authorities, and congressional oversight, recently passed out of the Senate Select Committee by unanimous vote and is headed for the Senate floor. “The Intelligence... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Moolenaar, Krishnamoorthi seek intelligence briefing on GenScript Biotech over Chinese ties
In a letter written to both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director and director of National Intelligence (DNI), the leaders of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party pushed for a briefing on the biotechnology firm... Read More »
Recruit and Retain Act promises new law enforcement resources to counter staffing shortages
Following signature by President Joe Biden, the Recruit and Retain Act (S. 546) recently became law, giving law enforcement nationwide access to expanded federal grants and a new partnership program that will tie schools and law enforcement closer together. The main goal of the bill was to... Read More »
Bipartisan, bicameral coalition seeks accountability report of DoD’s efforts to protect service members from blast overpressure
Members from across the political aisle, and from both chambers of Congress, last week wrote to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to request a review of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) actions for its service members exposed to blast overpressure. In all, 24 lawmakers sought... Read More »
Sen. Wicker pushes for generational surge in military spending in call-back to Reagan era
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), top-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, proposed a massive increase in Pentagon spending to build up U.S. military interest and the defense industrial base for generations to come. Hailing the idea as the “21st Century Peace Through... Read More »
First-ever DHS department-wide innovation, research and development plan lays out investment goals
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently sought to articulate its critical investment plans to help it meet technological needs and maximize strategic impact by publishing a department-wide Innovation, Research and Development (IRD) Strategic Plan. It was the result of two years... Read More »
Coast Guard ports in San Diego with roughly $468M of seized cocaine
Following eight separate suspected drug smuggling interdictions off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America in February and March, the Coast Guard Cutter Munro docked in San Diego this week with a haul of 33,768 pounds of cocaine. The estimated value of those drugs came to $468... Read More »
FCC proposes blocking untrustworthy entities from wireless equipment authorization program
In a push to crackdown on entities of national security concern, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed new rules to bar those deemed untrustworthy from participating in the testing and certification of electronic devices in the United States. The move kicked off with... Read More »
Department of Interior commits to help recruit, train more Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers
Following recent hearings of the Senate Indian Affairs and Interior Appropriations Committees, officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior committed to grow the U.S. Indian Law Enforcement Advanced Training Center (ATC) and work to recruit and train more Tribal law enforcement officers.... Read More »
New legislation seeks to streamline cases for Camp Lejeune water victims
As the legal actions over decades of contaminated water at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune continue, last week U.S. Reps. Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) and Deborah Ross (D-NC) introduced a bill to remove barriers to veteran benefits under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. “Our brave veterans put their... Read More »
FEMA, NOAA, and NWS issue annual hurricane outlook ahead of 2024 Atlantic hurricane season
In preparation for the 2024 hurricane season’s kickoff next month, FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks joined National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad, and National Weather Service (NWS) Director Ken Graham issued the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season... Read More »
Reps. Stefanik, Moolenaar urge DOJ to investigate drone group
On Wednesday, U.S. Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) urged the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the Drone Advocacy Alliance (DAA) for potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The DAA is an advocacy group that is funded by Chinese... Read More »
New bill would require U.S. Intelligence agencies to develop cyber safeguards for ports
With the introduction of the Secure Smartports Act, U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) seek to convince their fellow lawmakers of the danger to U.S. ports posed by Chinese cyberattacks and intrusion. “Every day we don’t understand the risks of relying on Chinese technology is... Read More »
U.S. Cyber Command, DARPA advance partnership under Constellation technology pathway
Although they have been working together on the Constellation pilot program since 2022, the U.S. Cyber Command and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently deepened their ties with an agreement on future planning necessities. Constellation is a pilot program meant to get cyber... Read More »
Bicameral bill proposes reforms for VA healthcare, benefits, and services
A triumvirate of Senate and House leaders introduced the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371) this week in a bid to reform and improve healthcare, benefits, and services for veterans, their families, and their survivors. It was... Read More »
House lawmakers press DoD to accelerate weapon deliveries, training for Ukraine
Amid ramped up assaults by Russian forces on Ukraine, a group of U.S. Congress members recently urged the Biden administration to hasten deliveries of resources to its Eastern European ally. “The Ukrainian people continue to demonstrate a strong willingness to resist Russian efforts to take... Read More »
DHS establishes Homeland Intelligence Advisory Council to oversee, advise
A new entity under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will advise it on homeland intelligence activities and issues, in the form of the Homeland Intelligence Advisory Board. Announced earlier this month, the Board will report to the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis,... Read More »
Eastern Shipbuilding Group announces Phase II for Nelson Street infrastructure projects
The second phase of work on Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s (ESG) Nelson Street government shipbuilding facility got underway in Florida this month, promising major infrastructure improvements to build up its abilities to construct and deliver ships. Meant to shore up the Department of... Read More »
Bipartisan Recruit and Retain Act to bolster U.S. police force heads for president’s signature
With its passage through the House last week, the Recruit and Retain Act (S. 546) is headed for President Joe Biden, bringing with it a possible expansion of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to back law enforcement recruitment efforts. Originally introduced in the... Read More »
House advances Israel Security Assistance Support Act
The House of Representatives last week voted through the Israel Security Assistance Support Act (H.R. 8369), which would restrict the president’s ability to withhold weapons transfers to Israel. “The Biden Administration’s decision to withhold weapons is catastrophic and goes directly... Read More »
Effort to equip female DHS officers with better tailored body armor advances through Senate committee
A bill from U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Katie Britt (R-AL) to get next generation body armor – better suited to its wearers – to the Department of Homeland Security’s(DHS) law enforcement personnel advanced swiftly out of committee last week. The senators introduced the DHS Better... Read More »
Bipartisan effort calls for details on foreign attempts to infiltrate U.S. military bases
A group of seven U.S. representatives recently wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a search for details on foreign adversaries’ attempts to spy on U.S. military bases. Led by U.S. Reps. Keith Self (R-TX) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), the members asked Austin to detail the number of... Read More »
House bill calls for AI task force within Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
As more governments and businesses seek what artificial intelligence (AI) can offer, U.S. Reps. Troy Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) want to make certain guardrails are in place through new legislation and a new federal task force. In the recently introduced Cybersecurity and... Read More »
Senators push to preserve procurement levels for attack submarines
A group of 14 U.S. senators recently called on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to maintain a two-per-year procurement of Virginia Class submarines for the sake of military dominance and industrial support. Signatories to a letter on the matter included Democrats and... Read More »