News
Measure targets enhanced advanced defense capabilities
U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) recently joined U.S. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Pat Fallon (R-TX) in introducing legislation that seeks to bolster advanced defense capabilities. The lawmakers recently detailed the Investing in American Defense Technologies Act,... Read More »
Measure targets bolstered natural disaster response training
U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA) have introduced legislation that would help local governments improve natural disaster response through enhanced training. The lawmakers recently detailed the Emergency Management Support Act (H.R. 3626). It ensures local... Read More »
Measure seeks to bolster protections against UAS threats
A group of lawmakers are espousing the benefits of legislation they maintain would bolster efforts countering unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) security threats. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Sen. Gary Peters recently joined U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Kyrsten... Read More »
Wounded Warrior Bill of Rights legislation introduced to cut bureaucracy facing injured vets
A group of lawmakers last week introduced the Wounded Warrior Bill of Rights (H.R. 3517) to the House, proposing cuts on red tape, improved transparency and greater appeal options for injured veterans navigating medical separation from service and disability benefits. “All too often, wounded... Read More »
World needs swift action if it is to ready itself for next pandemic, international security organizations say
A digital report released last week by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) | bio and the Munich Security Conference (MSC) sounded the alarm in advance of the world’s next pandemic, warning that without bold action, catastrophe will likely follow. Simply put: the world is not ready, by their... Read More »
House Homeland Security Republicans urge updates on Chinese threats to information and communications tech
In a letter sent to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly this week, House House Homeland Security subcommittee leaders requested a briefing on any threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to the information and communications technology (ICT)... Read More »
Legislation targets enhanced natural disaster preparedness, response
U.S. Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) are espousing the benefits of newly introduced legislation they maintain would aid natural disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. According to bill proponents, the Preventing Our Next Natural Disaster Act would... Read More »
Northrop Grumman outlines progress of Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar program
Northrop Grumman Corporation officials have noted the aerospace company has completed a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and is on track to begin production on the nation’s early-defense warning missile system. The PDR is in accordance with the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command’s Next... Read More »
Agencies tout updated ransomware reduction resource
Four agencies are espousing the benefits of a newly published updated resource they indicated seeks to help organizations reduce the risk of ransomware incidents through a series of best practices. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigation... Read More »
DHS S&T details RIVTD Track 2 launch
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials have outlined the Remote Identity Validation Technology Demonstration Track 2 launch. DHS S&T indicated in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Homeland Security... Read More »
Proposed update to federal Dignity Act targets illegal immigration, American economy
As a wide-ranging proposal to revise the United States immigration system, U.S. Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) led the introduction of an updated Dignity Act this week, gathering a small bipartisan coalition to break Congressional deadlock on the issue. Salazar... Read More »
TSA outlines summer travel season preparedness
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials have indicated the agency is prepared to screen high volumes of passengers at nationwide airport security checkpoints this summer travel season. “TSA is ready to handle this summer’s anticipated increase in travel,” TSA Administrator... Read More »
Bill seeks increased police officer pay, bolstered hiring initiatives
U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Mike Bost (R-IL) recently reintroduced legislation that would raise police officer salaries and hire more police officers. The David Dorn Thin Blue Line Retention Act is named in honor of David Dorn, a retired St. Louis Police captain killed in June 2020 while... Read More »
Bicameral letter urges Congressional leadership to invest in Marine Corp restructuring plans
A bicameral, bipartisan group of lawmakers wrote Congressional leadership this week to secure FY 2024 Department of Defense (DoD) appropriations for the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 modernization efforts. Led by U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), the lawmakers called for... Read More »
New House legislation proposes trust fund to build, expand ports of entry and increase CBP staff
By introducing the Land Port of Entry (LPOE) Modernization Trust Fund Act (H.R.3135) this week, a collection of five congressional lawmakers proposed creating a fund to advance new ports of entry, improve the old and gather both new staff and technology to assist border efforts. Backed by... Read More »
New funding opportunity seeks network for disease forecasting at CDC
Under a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) launched last week, the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA) announced efforts to strengthen outbreak response among decision makers through creation of a disease forecasting network. CFA is a part of the Centers for Disease Control... Read More »
Senate advances legislation supporting DHS law enforcement personnel mental health resources
The U.S. Senate recently advanced a bill increasing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement personnel mental health resources. The DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act authored Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) would create the DHS Law... Read More »
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act reintroduced to let public safety officers unionize
U.S. Reps. Peter Stauber (R-MN) and Dan Kildee (D-MI) revived pro-unionization efforts for public safety officers nationwide last week with the reintroduction of the Public Safety Employer-Employee Act. That bill would allow public safety officers to form labor unions, collectively bargain for... Read More »
Lawmakers seek insight on suspected southern border terrorists crossing
Three legislators recently forwarded correspondence to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking insight regarding suspected terrorists illegally crossing the southern border. U.S. Reps. Mark E. Green (R-TN), chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, James Comer (R-KY),... Read More »
IARPA details population mobility patterns examination initiative
The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) has launched a research program the agency maintains examines global population mobility patterns while providing alerts when anomalies emerge. Serving as the advanced research and development arm of the Office of the Director of... Read More »
National Association of Attorneys General call on Congress to classify xylazine as controlled substance
Fearing the proliferation of illicit versions of the drug xylazine – or tranq – and its effects on the U.S. public, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) wrote to Congressional leaders last week urging passage of the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act (H.R. 1839). The legislation... Read More »
Counter drug trafficking bill meant to benefit DHS advances out of Senate committee
The Enhancing DHS Drug Seizures Act (S.1464) advanced to the Senate floor last week, after approval from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is chaired its author, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). Together with co-author U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Peters created a... Read More »
Bill targets enhanced wildfire risk reduction, preparedness
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) noted his recent reintroduction of the Wildfire Emergency Act seeks to reduce American West wildfire risks and bolster preparedness via forest restoration, infrastructure investments and training. “Despite this year’s severe storms, wildfire season will soon... Read More »
Satellite Cybersecurity Act advances in Senate
An effort to increase cybersecurity protections for commercial satellites gained traction in the Senate this week, as the Satellite Cybersecurity Act (S.1425) advanced out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to the full Senate. The bill was introduced by U.S. Sens. Gary... Read More »
Measure eyes bolstered firefighting technology
U.S. Reps. David G. Valadao (R-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Mark Amodei (R-NV), John Curtis (R-UT) and Doug Lamborn (R-CO) recently introduced the Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act, which would bolster firefighting technology initiatives. The... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee advances five bills on cybersecurity, drones and more
The House Homeland Security Committee took up a slew of bills this week, advancing five to the larger House’s consideration on cybersecurity, Chinese drones, approaches to weapons of mass destruction and support for first responders. These bills included the Securing Open Source Software Act... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Durbin tout bill targeting immediate southern border needs
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Dick Durbin have joined eight colleagues to introduce a bill that focuses on addressing immediate southern border needs. The Border Management, Security, and Assistance Act of 2023 would strengthens border security, establish consequences for unlawful entry,... Read More »
AI training program for federal workforce leadership proposed in Senate
A day ahead of testimony by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman before Congress on the concerns and possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI), U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced legislation to create an AI-based training program for federal managers. While Altman would go on to... Read More »
Sensible Classification Act introduced in Senate as means to reform, limit national classification system
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Cornyn (R-TX), and eight colleagues recently introduced the Sensible Classification Act, which proposes an overhaul of the national classification system. If passed, the legislation would seek to codify classification authority and specify how that authority is... Read More »
Measure eyes printed circuit board production, bolstered supply chain security
U.S. Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) have reintroduced legislation they maintain would enhance domestic printed circuit board (PCB) production while strengthening supply chain security. Moore and Eshoo recently detailed the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act,... Read More »
Agencies tout school safety reporting programs resource
Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) personnel are espousing the benefits of a new resource to aid school safety reporting programs. The K-12 Bystander Reporting Toolkit supports kindergarten through grade 12... Read More »
China’s role in opioid trafficking under scrutiny in Congressional letter to State Department
In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) urged the Department of State to take steps to hold China accountable for the precursor chemicals used by Mexican drug cartels in the manufacture of synthetic opioids. The pair proposed... Read More »
Bipartisan Invest to Protect Act aims to increase funding for police departments
In an effort to reduce crime and increase public safety, the Invest to Protect Act was introduced by a bipartisan coalition in Congress this week, dangling the possibility of increased funding for police departments to recruit and retain officers, as well as outfit them. Announced at the start... Read More »
Legislation introduced to better support active National Guard, Reservists members
A group of lawmakers are seeking to incentivize employers to continue to pay National Guard and Reserves members while activated. U.S. Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), and Don Beyer (D-VA) have reintroduced the bipartisan Reservist Pay Equity Act, which would... Read More »