News
DHS details Faith-Based Security Advisory Council session
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel detailed a recent Faith-Based Security Advisory Council (FBSAC) session focused on efforts to support faith communities nationwide regarding security and preparedness. During the meeting, DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Deputy... Read More »
ASPR splits $50M among 33 states, jurisdictions in effort to build up Medical Reserve Corps
In an attempt to strengthen the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) network, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) for the first time awarded $50 million to 33 states and jurisdictions. The money, pulled from the American Rescue Plan, was cobbled together as the MRC State,... Read More »
Reps. Moore, Kuster reintroduce resolution backing J-1 visas through BridgeUSA
In support of the American tourism industry, cultural diversity and workforce needs, U.S. Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Annie Kuster (D-NH) reintroduced a resolution expressing support for BridgeUSA programs. As a resolution, it’s a nonbinding effort, but rather, is meant to express... Read More »
Sen. Rubio asks federal agencies to bar members of Extinction Rebellion from U.S. soil
European climate activists earned the ire of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) this week over reported plans to bring their protests of fossil fuels across the ocean. In a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro... Read More »
Measure seeks to bolster enhanced wildland firefighter recruitment
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) joined 10 colleagues in forwarding correspondence to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs regarding wildland firefighter recruitment and retention. "We urge the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Lankford introduce legislation to improve cybersecurity partnerships between U.S., international partners
With the introduction of the DHS International Cyber Partner Act this week, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Lankford (R-OK) sought to boost cybersecurity assistance partnerships between the United States and its partners and allies abroad. “Cyber-attacks against networks around the... Read More »
GAO issues DOD missile defense system oversight recommendations
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) a pair of recommendations to improve missile system sustainment and readiness oversight. The GAO noted the DOD's Missile Defense Agency (MDA) develops systems to detect attacks and track, intercept and... Read More »
Non-Intrusive Inspection Expansion Act reintroduced to increase screening of vehicles, cargo
In a bid to increase screening of vehicles and cargo at U.S. ports of entry, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) reintroduced their Non-Intrusive Inspection Expansion Act this week. Generally, the bill would require U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to increase use of... Read More »
DHS resource aids tribal gaming, hospitality industry
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are espousing the benefits of a newly released human trafficking awareness toolkit the agency noted is tailored to tribal gaming and hospitality professionals. The Human Trafficking Response Guide for the Tribal Gaming and Hospitality Industry... Read More »
Bill targets increased cybersecurity awareness
U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Gary Peters (D-MI) recently introduced legislation that would increase Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) community outreach regarding efforts to offer cyberattack protections. Specifically, the Cybersecurity Awareness Act would direct the Cybersecurity... Read More »
Unlawful entries along Southwest Border down more than 70 percent since Title 42 health order lifted
Despite significant concerns in the lead up to lifting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC’s) Title 42 public health order in May, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week that unlawful entries between ports of entry have fallen more than 70 percent... Read More »
DHS S&T successfully completes tests of first of its kind hydrogen fuel cell/battery hybrid vehicle
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) took a step toward changing the face of emergency relief this week, as tests concluded for its H2@Rescue Emergency Relief Truck. The truck incorporates hydrogen into its make up. It boasts a hydrogen fuel... Read More »
Dozens sentenced for fraud, money laundering operation that stole $30M from individuals, companies
The U.S. Secret Service noted over three dozen individuals have been sentenced for involvement in an Atlanta, Ga.-based fraud and money laundering operation targeting individuals and entities nationwide. The defendants used business email compromise schemes, romance fraud scams and retirement... Read More »
Northrop Grumman touts FAAD C2 capabilities
Aerospace company Northrop Grumman is touting the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) system's air and missile defense interoperability among Baltic states, NATO, and U.S. forces. “FAAD C2 will enable the Baltic region forces to make faster, better-informed decisions to... Read More »
Philadelphia Border Patrol officers seize nearly $15M of counterfeit currency
Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers based in Philadelphia seized four massive loads of counterfeit currency last month, raking in a combined total of $14,368,160 in various denominations of fake U.S. currency. “Law enforcement knows that counterfeit and fictitious bank notes have been... Read More »
Imported, disposable e-cigarettes are a vaping disaster for America’s youth, experts say
Congressional lawmakers who have called for a ban by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on imported flavored disposable e-cigarettes from China and other countries hope they’re getting closer to having their request met. There’s been recent activity at the FDA, which has issued... Read More »
DistrictWON works with U.S. Army, Marines to reimagine high school military recruiting
As the U.S. military continues to struggle to meet its recruiting goals, Ohio-based marketing consultant DistrictWON is working to replenish the pool of young Americans who are willing to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces by reimagining high school recruiting. In days gone by, a recruiter for the... Read More »
Lawmakers seek extended support for state medical supplies with introduction of State Strategic Stockpile Act
In a bid to extend authorization of and funding for a program supporting state-developed stockpiles of critical drugs, vaccines and other medical supplies, U.S. Reps. Early Carter (R-GA) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) introduced the State Strategic Stockpile Act (H.R. 3631) last week. Such... Read More »
Senators press FAA to finalize Saracini Aviation Safety Act, counter airplane hijacking after years of inaction
More than two years after a mandated deadline, U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA), Ed Markey (D-MA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) wrote to federal officials last week urging implementation of the Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2018 that required secondary cockpit barriers for new commercial aircraft. The... Read More »
U.S. Coast Guard details trilateral engagements
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) personnel are espousing the benefits of trilateral engagements with the Philippine and Japan Coast Guards. The USCG indicated the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) and crew recently arrived in Manila to conduct professional exchanges and joint operations with... Read More »
Defense Department to host Climate Resilience Workshop
Department of Defense (DOD) officials have outlined the 2023 DOD Climate Resilience Workshop slated for July 10-13 in St. Louis, Mo. The effort is in conjunction with the DOD's Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, providing a forum for DOD... Read More »
Sens. Lucas, Cruz advocate for GAO review of GeoXO program
U.S. Sens. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) recently forwarded correspondence to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), requesting the agency review the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite program. Lucas,... Read More »
DHS debuts National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finished building and commissioning a first of its kind National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Kansas last month, opening the doors of the only U.S. lab with biosafety level-4 containment capable of housing large livestock. Supported by... Read More »
Measure seeks to enhance rural emergency medical services
A group of legislators are espousing the benefits of legislation that would bolster rural access to emergency air medical services critical to saving lives. U.S. Reps. Ron Estes (R-KS) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) recently joined U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to... Read More »
Senate legislation reintroduced to improve training for VA personnel handling PTSD claims
Through reintroduction of the VA Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Processing Claims Improvement Act, U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) seek to spur better training for staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) tasked with handling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)... Read More »
Thousands of pounds of fentanyl and narcotics seized, hundreds arrested in latest DHS operations
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ran two counter-drug operations over the course of the last two months in Arizona and southern California – Operations Blue Lotus and Four Horsemen – and results can be measured in thousands of pounds of illicit substances seized. While focused... Read More »
Locations in Florida, New Mexico and Colorado labeled preferred sites for STARCOM, three Deltas
As the U.S. Space Force continues to find its place, the Department of the Air Force this week announced three military sites it would prefer to house the Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) Headquarters and the three Space Force Deltas. STARCOM is one of three U.S. Space Force field... Read More »
FEMA encouraging hurricane season preparedness
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are encouraging Puerto Rico residents to get their families and property prepared for hurricane season. “Getting ready for hurricane season should be a routine to residents in the Caribbean area, since it only takes one weather event to... Read More »
Newly introduced Know Your App Act would require online app stores to display origin details
A reckoning of transparency put online app stores firmly in its sights this week, with the introduction of the Know Your App Act in the Senate. Its backers, which included U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and James Lankford (R-OK), pitched the bill as one meant to better protect... Read More »
DHS details customer service experience improvements
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that its Burden Reduction Initiative (BRI) reduced the total amount of time the public spends accessing DHS services by 20 million hours annually. “Improving the customer experience is one of the Department's top priorities. Through the... Read More »
Lockheed Martin secures cooperative R&D agreement with U.S. Army for space-enabled defense systems
Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Lockheed Martin and the United States Army, the pair will work to develop and demonstrate defense systems that link ground-based platforms to space. On the U.S. Army’s side, efforts will be led by the Army Combat... Read More »
CBP details narcotics seizures totaling $7.8M in San Diego
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have commended San Diego Field Office personnel for seizing $7.8 million worth of dangerous drugs in the week leading up to Memorial Day. “Narcotics smuggling continues to be on the rise and our officers will relentlessly continue doing everything... Read More »
Bicameral TRICARE Fairness Act reintroduced to grant retired Reserve personnel lower-cost health coverage
Renewing legislation first introduced in the last Congress, U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Dean Phillips (D-MN) last week brought up the TRICARE Fairness for National Guard and Reserve Retirees Act (H.R. 3668) to open up healthcare options for retired Reserve personnel. They were joined in... Read More »
House approves legislation addressing permanent scheduling of fentanyl analogues
U.S. Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Morgan Griffith (R-VA) are commending House of Representatives colleagues after approving their legislation addressing the permanent scheduling of fentanyl analogues. The lawmakers noted the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act would permanently... Read More »