News
DHS details competitive preparedness grant allocations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has detailed final allocations of $550 million for seven Fiscal Year 2022 competitive preparedness grant programs. “As the threats to the homeland evolve, so too must the grant programs intended to prepare communities for those threats,” DHS... Read More »
GAO: Hospitals face lack of staff, supplies or space to care for patients amid medical surges
During some COVID-19 surges, U.S. hospitals were hampered in terms of staff, supplies, or space to care for patients that exceeded their normal operating capacity, though health care coalitions helped fill some gaps. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a review of eight... Read More »
Group of senators encourage congressional leadership to fund better monkeypox emergency response
With no signs the monkeypox health emergency is set to lessen, a group of 14 U.S. senators wrote to congressional leadership this week in search of additional funding for a public health response in any future legislative package. “Monkeypox is a serious threat to public health, and we need to... Read More »
DHS offers proof-of-concept for vehicular Wildland Urban Interface alert system
The Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS) used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may soon be capable of providing hazard and evacuation alerts directly to vehicles’ infotainment screens. This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology... Read More »
DoD issues first department-wide social media policy
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently released its first department-wide social media policy detailing how DoD military and civilian personnel should use official social media accounts. "It's long overdue," Office of the Secretary of Defense Director of Digital Media Andy Oare said.... Read More »
CBP’s July update shows decreasing encounters on Southwest border
Though border crossing attempts remain high, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported in its July 2022 operational update that encounters at the Southwest border decreased by 4 percent, trending down for two months. In terms of individuals encountered, the figures went up by 1 percent,... Read More »
DARPA, U.S. Geological Survey detail critical mineral competition
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) officials have collaborated to offer a competition to expeditiously aid critical mineral resources assessment initiatives. The AI for Critical Mineral Assessment Competition stems from the nation's dependence on... Read More »
FBI nationwide sex trafficking operation saves 84 minors, 141 adults from exploitation
In coordination with state and local partners this August, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced successfully identified and located 84 minors victimized by sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, as well as 37 children who had been actively missing. Dubbed Operation Cross... Read More »
Roche debuts new T-cell response-charting Elecsys diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2
Roche Diagnostics announced a new test for its line-up this week to offer additional means for decision-making and treatment options surrounding SARS-CoV-2, particularly in at-risk patient groups. The Elecsys IGRA SARS-CoV-2 test focuses on the T-cell response to offer a potentially better... Read More »
BAE Systems secures Marine Corps contract for ACV-30 Production Representative Test Vehicles
Defense, aerospace, and security firm BAE Systems has secured an $88 million Marine Corps contract to build multiple ACV-30 Production Representative Test Vehicles (PRTVs). “We are committed to equipping the Marine Corps with the best technology available to provide them with a decisive... Read More »
FEMA offers more than $3B for two climate resilience grants
Utilizing money from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) put up more than $3 billion in funding last week for two grant programs meant to help communities improve resilience to climate change and extreme weather. “Climate change is... Read More »
Group of lawmakers push Senate leadership to fund monkeypox response in future legislative packages
A collection of 14 U.S. senators wrote to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) last week to request funding for the monkeypox outbreak response be included in any upcoming legislative package. Designated a Public Health Emergency (PHE) earlier... Read More »
Rep. Steil hosts roundtable addressing fight against fentanyl in Wisconsin
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) recently convened a roundtable in Janesville, Wis., to address the fight against fentanyl. The effort focused on Rock County and targeted methods the federal government could aid in keeping Wisconsin communities safe. The session involved leaders from the Rock County... Read More »BARDA exercises procurement option for approximately $26M of SIGA’s IV TPOXX treatments
Responding to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak worldwide, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) last week exercised procurement options for SIGA Technologies, Inc.’s intravenous TPOXX treatments of smallpox. Those treatments, valued at approximately $26 million,... Read More »
Bill targeting HBCU cybersecurity job training enacted
Lawmakers and educators are espousing the benefits of the Cybersecurity Opportunity Act's recent enactment, which officials maintain would bolster cybersecurity job training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson... Read More »
Sen. Portman hosts Cincinnati roundtable on overdoses in Ohio and U.S., new CARA funding efforts
Responding to the ongoing American struggle with opioids in general and fentanyl in particular, United States Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) joined the Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition (HC ARC) and other stakeholders in his state to address the larger issue of addiction and overdose. Last... Read More »
Republican senators requesting information on DEA strategy to fight drug networks, cartels and narcotics smuggling
Writing to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgrim this week, a group of Republican senators requested details on the agency’s moves to crack down on illegal narcotics and their suppliers. Citing the ongoing opioid crisis that, as of Feb. 9, 2022, led to more than... Read More »
House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders request federal briefings on network security over Log4j vulnerability
Through letters dispatched to the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Energy, Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have requested briefings on federal network... Read More »
Bill targets permanent Iran sanctions
U.S. Reps. Tim Scott (R-SC), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) have introduced the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act (SISA), which seeks to make the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 permanent. Through SISA, the sanctions regime serves as the nation's best tool to restrain... Read More »
FDA issues EUA for intradermal injections of JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine
As the monkeypox virus continues to spread and health officials warn that vaccine supply is not meeting demand, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) to intradermal injections of Bavarian Nordic’s JYNNEOS vaccine. The... Read More »
DHS requests information on capabilities for human and agriculture security
In a request for information published this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) reached out for details on the scientific capabilities to support its Food, Agriculture and Veterinary Defense (FAV-D) Program. Part of a larger... Read More »
Measure addresses Afghan permanent legal residency
A group of lawmakers have introduced a bill they said seeks to enable Afghans with temporary status, who undergo additional vetting, to apply for permanent legal residency. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Richard... Read More »
Bill provides $30M in additional funding for Justice-run anti-hate crime program
With approval from the House Appropriations Committee, some $30 million has been marked for Justice Department use on the Community-Based Approaches to Advancing Justice Grant Program -- an effort begun just last year to reduce violent hate crimes in communities nationwide. The funding was added... Read More »
Phase 3 study gathering 6,000 to trial Pfizer, Valneva Lyme disease vaccine candidate
Pfizer Inc. and Valneva SE this week started a Phase 3 clinical study -- Vaccine Against Lyme for Outdoor Recreationists (VALOR) -- to study the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of a Lyme disease vaccine candidate known as VLA15. Currently, VLA15 is the only Lyme disease vaccine undergoing... Read More »
Senators seek hearing regarding Federal Reserve Bank Chinese influence
A group of Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) lawmakers are requesting a hearing to address Chinese influence and information theft at Federal Reserve Banks. HSGAC Ranking Member Rob Portman (R-OH) joined Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rand Paul... Read More »
Curtiss-Wright Corporation to aid naval defense platforms
Curtiss-Wright Corporation officials said the firm has secured contracts valued over $220 million from Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. (BPMI) and General Dynamics Electric Boat to aid the Navy's defense platforms. “Curtiss-Wright is proud to have been awarded these important naval defense... Read More »
Republican Senators allege southern border open to infiltration by terrorists
In the latest letter to United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, a group of Republican Senators pressed for plans to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, claiming that it is beyond U.S. operational control and open for terrorist infiltration. Despite the fact that no deadly... Read More »
Bill to make simplified application for federal disaster assistance advances to Senate
A bill from United States Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Lankford (R-OK), the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, advanced out of Senate committee last week, putting to the Senate floor the idea of simplifying the application process for federal disaster assistance. “Victims of natural... Read More »
Caucus targets disaster preparedness, recovery initiatives
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has joined three House of Representatives colleagues in forming a caucus that targets disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. Mace recently joined Reps. Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA), Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL) and Joe Neguse (D-CO) in launching the Bipartisan Congressional... Read More »U.S. Senate passes police training bill
A pair of lawmakers are commending Senate passage of a measure enhancing law enforcement training for those interacting with individuals with mental health, behavioral health and substance use issues. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) joined 19 colleagues in co-sponsoring... Read More »
Three bills, three approaches to strengthening DHS up for Senate consideration
A total of three bills authored by United States Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) crossed out of committee and to the floor of the Senate last week, offering potential means of enhancing Department of Homeland Security human and drug trafficking efforts. The bills include the Non-Intrusive Inspection... Read More »
Senate to consider bill to renew, expand federal oversight of drones
The Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Act crossed its first legislative hurdle last week, after it was advanced from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to full Senate consideration. A joint work from U.S. Sens. Gary... Read More »
Senators urge invocation of Defense Production Act to bolster monkeypox vaccine production
From a virtual press conference to a letter to the White House, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) led eight colleagues in pressing for the Biden administration to tap the Defense Production Act to increase domestic production of monkeypox vaccines. The senator’s state of New York currently... Read More »
Bill looks to bolster southern border law enforcement efforts
A group of lawmakers have introduced a measure they said seeks to bolster southern border law enforcement operations. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Mayra Flores (R-TX), Susie Lee (D-NV) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) recently introduced the Advanced Border Coordination Act. The bill would establish Joint... Read More »