News
CBP guidance seeks to address supply chain disruption resilience
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently issued new guidance to address bolstered supply chain disruption initiatives. Cyber Incident Guidance for Customs Brokers would aid customs brokers in preparation, response, and recovery regarding cyberattacks, from proactively installing... Read More »
Ravi Chaudhary sworn in as assistant secretary of the USAF for Energy, Installations and Environment
Air Force officials announced that Ravi Chaudhary has been sworn to duty as assistant secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment. The recent ceremony at the Pentagon followed Chaudhary's U.S. Senate confirmation on March 15. In his new position, Chaudhary will be... Read More »
Congressional Singapore trip follows decision to train F-16 squadron at Ebbing Air National Guard base
In order to build relationships with those soon to be training in their state, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) and John Boozman (R-AR) went to Singapore last week. On the heels of a decision to relocate an F-16 squadron to Ebbing Air National Guard base in Arkansas and train Singapore pilots on... Read More »
DEA details life sentence for large-scale drug trafficking organization leader
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials recently announced the sentencing of Jorge Sanchez Morales, aka “Capulina,” 47, to life in prison for leading a large-scale drug trafficking organization. In November 2022, an El Paso jury found Sanchez Morales guilty of conspiracies to import... Read More »
Report: Stronger, more frequent hurricanes pose greater risks to U.S. East, Gulf Coasts
According to a new paper from researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), hurricane season is set to worsen in the years ahead in terms of strength and frequency as global warming empowers storms along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. Hurricane frequency could rise by as much... Read More »
Capitol Hill lawmakers vow to end U.S. drug shortages, dependency on Chinese pharma
The rising dependence that the United States has on many Chinese pharmaceuticals is worsening the nation’s drug shortage and creating a national security risk that several members of Congress want to disrupt. Lawmakers, in fact, have introduced legislation in Congress from both sides of the... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Garcia introduces bills to shuffle COVID-19 relief funds into school safety
As the United States continues to reckon with gun violence nationwide, including in its schools, U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) introduced the latest legislative proposals for change, with the Safe Schools Act and the Strengthening School Security for Students Act. Touted as ways to protect... Read More »
DHS event to spotlight national security technologies
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has planned a two-day, in-person event next month to highlight technology addressing DHS challenges and homeland security needs. The Demo Week initiative funded by DHS's Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP)... Read More »
Joint exercise synchronizes cooperation between U.S., Mexican and Canadian water operations
Ships and teams gathered off the coast of Manzanillo, Mexico last month for a weeklong exercise under the North American Maritime Security Initiative (NAMSI), which brought together the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Mexican Navy (SEMAR) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). "This exercise provides... Read More »
Northrop Grumman opens new campus in Huntsville, Ala.
Northrop Grumman has opened a two-building campus outside of Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. “Our new lab enables us to deliver innovative solutions to our customers on rapid timelines, helping to protect and defend our nation and its allies against evolving threats,” Northrop Grumman... Read More »
CBP, Air and Marine Operations nab vessel transporting cocaine
The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along with the Air and Marine Operations (AMO) intercepted a vessel transporting cocaine in waters along northern Puerto Rico. The agencies seized 1,455 pounds of cocaine valued at approximately $15.1 million and arrested four non-citizens from the... Read More »
Justice Department disrupts global cyber crime marketplace
The U.S. Justice Department personnel has dismantled a major criminal marketplace that allegedly enabled cybercriminals to victimize individuals, businesses and governments globally. “Our seizure of Genesis Market should serve as a warning to cybercriminals who operate or use these criminal... Read More »
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro proposes $36M investment for firefighters, $50M for 9-1-1
During a meeting with Lancaster, Pa. firefighters, Gov. Josh Shapiro used the opportunity to pitch his $36 million plan for equipment, training and staffing for firefighters and EMS providers, along with a more than $50 million proposal for county 9-1-1 systems. According to the state,... Read More »
CISA and partners highlight risk management for National Supply Chain Integrity month
As a way to encourage stakeholders and partners to pursue rigorous supply chain risk management (SCRM) solutions, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and a mix of federal and industry partners are highlighting SCRM as the recipe for resilience in this National Supply Chain... Read More »
Report: Nearly 150 illegal or illicit trafficking incidents of radioactive material occurred last year
According to a new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), pulled from its own database, 146 incidents of illegal or unauthorized activities occurred in 2022 involving nuclear and other radioactive material. While the IAEA’s global database utilizes information from 143... Read More »
Legislation seeks to exclude military Basic Needs Allowance benefits from taxable income
U.S. Reps. Steve Womack (R-AR) and Dan Kildee (D-MI) joined four colleagues to introduce a bill that seeks to exclude military Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) benefits from taxable income. The BNA Fairness Act would amend the tax code and place the BNA in line with the tax status of other military... Read More »
House Homeland Security Republicans request information regarding cybersecurity threat by Chinese-built cranes at U.S. ports
In a letter dispatched to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this week, Republican chairs linked to the House Committee on Homeland Security pressed for answers on potential cybersecurity threats posed by Chinese-manufactured cranes used at U.S. ports. “We are... Read More »
Smiths Detection passenger screening system receives DHS designation
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated Smiths Detection's HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX CT passenger screening system as terrorism deterring technology. The designation was established through the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act. "This is a... Read More »
DoD details website to aid systems, assets security
The Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) Directorate for Digital Services (DDS) has launched a website targeting DoD systems and assets protection. The site was developed in conjunction with the Hack the Pentagon (HtP) program, which invites vetted,... Read More »
U.S. Army awards four year contract worth up to $4.5B to Lockheed Martin for missile production
A surge of Joint-Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) and HELLFIRE missiles will come to the U.S. Army over the years ahead as part of a four-year production contract newly awarded to Lockheed Martin. Initially, the procurement and production award was valued at $439 million as a basic Program Year 1... Read More »
U.S. disrupts supposed Iranian ammunition transport overseas, files forfeiture action
After seizing a flagless vessel in the Arabian Sea on Dec. 1, 2022, U.S. Central Command forces took more than 1 million rounds of ammunition, among other weapon supplies, and as of last week, the Justice Department filed a forfeiture complaint over it, accusing the Iranian Islamic Revolution Guard... Read More »
Raytheon secures Army foreign military sales contract
The U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon Technologies a $1.2 billion foreign military sales contract to provide Switzerland with the Patriot air defense system. The contract is in conjunction with the Global Patriot partnership that includes the United States, Switzerland, and 16 other nations.... Read More »
Rep. Bacon advocates Canine Reimbursement Program funding
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) has requested funding for the Canine Reimbursement Program, following President Joe Biden’s fiscal year 2024 budget determining the program was zeroed out. Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson contacted Bacon when the president’s budget request was released. “I... Read More »
Legislators, law enforcement officials express support for SAFE School Act
Lawmakers and law enforcement personnel are expressing support for the SAFE School Act, which focuses on keeping children safe. U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) would introduce the bill to establish a $900 million grant program enabling public and private schools to... Read More »
Sens. Grassley, Durbin introduce legislation to reform H-1B and L-1 visa programs
Through the introduction of the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act last week, U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durban (D-IL) took aim at visa programs, intending to reform them and reduce fraud while introducing greater scrutiny of the recruitment process for foreign workers. Both visa... Read More »
Senate panel advances open source software protection bill
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has advanced the Securing Open Source Software Act - noting it protects federal and critical infrastructure systems. The measure introduced by Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) now moves to the full Senate for... Read More »
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro calls for more than $86M for 9-1-1 dispatch, firefighters and EMS in budget proposal
In his first budget proposal, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called for more than $50 million for 9-1-1 dispatch systems and $36 million to staff, equip and train firefighters and EMS providers. “I know firsthand how our local municipal and county governments are on the frontlines of keeping... Read More »
Legislation targets emergency room care gap
U.S. Reps. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) recently reintroduced the MISSION Zero Act, which would aid in addressing the emergency room care gap. The bill would enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to continue assigning trauma surgeons to civilian trauma centers. “The... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation seeks to classify illicit xylazine use under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act
A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently introduced the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, which seeks to classify the drug under Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. U.S. Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Ken Buck (R-CO), and Chris Pappas (D-NH)... Read More »
House Artificial Intelligence for National Security Act seeks A.I. cybersecurity programs to bolster DoD security
In a nod to evolving needs, fears, and digital capabilities, United States Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Artificial Intelligence for National Security Act (H.R. 1718) this week, pushing for A.I. enabled cybersecurity programs to increase security on Department... Read More »
Senate panel advances bill targeting human trafficking
A group of lawmakers recently commended the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's advancement of the IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act, which supports individuals impacted by human trafficking. The bill introduced by Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), and John... Read More »
Coast Guard cutter offloads more than $166M worth of narcotics following five interdictions
After five interdictions by various vessels in international waters, the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche reportedly unloaded more than 6,325 pounds of cocaine and more than 13,220 pounds of marijuana in San Diego this week, bringing to bear a haul worth more than $166 million. “The Coast Guard is... Read More »
Air Force civilian, military personnel advocate passage of ‘on-time’ budget
Air Force civilian and military personnel recently expressed to lawmakers the importance of passing a timely budget to ensure Air and Space Force modernization efforts are not delayed. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., and Chief of Space... Read More »
TSA to use $10.4B budget to increase pay, checkpoint technologies and more
During a hearing with the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week, the latter’s administrator, David Pekoske, lent insight into the agency’s plans for its $10.4 billion allotment under a 2024 budget... Read More »