News
Senate advances Coast Guard Authorization Act
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has advanced the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Subcommittee on Oceans Chair Tammy Baldwin... Read More »
Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act pledges to protect FEMA reservists’ jobs
With approval from Congress, the Civilian Reservist Emergency Act headed for President Joe Biden’s desk for a final signature this week, granting new protections for reservists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from losing their full-time employment when called to... Read More »
Rep. Harshbarger introduces Protecting Our Homeland from Chinese Espionage Act in direct rebuke of China
While tensions between the United States and China have grown over the years, U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) introduced the Protecting Our Homeland from Chinese Espionage Act this week. As proposed, the bill would require companies bidding for any Department of Homeland Security (DHS)... Read More »
Bill targets bolstered wildfire protections
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) recently introduced the Community Wildfire Protection Act to enable greater wildfire protections. “Climate change is putting more and more communities in the path of deadly wildfires,” Feinstein said. “Unfortunately, a more than... Read More »
Sen. Murphy requests details on DOJ, ATF implementation of Bipartisan Safer Communities Act provisions
Following up on the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act back in June, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) this week wrote the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requesting updates on how the law had been implemented. That legislation had... Read More »
DHS, DOJ detail human smuggling operation disruption, dismantling
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently detailed the disruption and dismantling of a human smuggling operation in Texas and across the southern United States. Authorities indicated the operation in conjunction with Joint Task Force Alpha... Read More »
Boeing finishes construction, unveils Phantom Works Advanced Composite Fabrication Center
Construction work concluded on Boeing’s new Advanced Works Composite Fabrication Center in Arizona, and with that, the company revealed the 155,000-square-foot facility as the first of several new factories to come under the guidance of its Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business unit. The... Read More »
Newly introduced Military Stockpiles Act would give DoD new abilities to refill stockpiles depleted by aid offers
With the introduction of the Securing American Acquisitions, Readiness and Military Stockpiles Act (S.B. 4805) this week, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) hope to enhance the military’s capabilities to refill stockpiles after they have been tapped for aid to American... Read More »
DHS S&T releases interactive training tool for explosive detection canine teams
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently initiated a new interactive training tool for handlers and trainers of explosive detection canines. The effort would upgrade Person-Borne Explosives Detection (PBED) capabilities. PBED canines must... Read More »
KBR secures $38M contract through Defense Logistics Agency
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has awarded science, technology and engineering solutions firm KBR a $38 million contract supporting global Automated Fuel Handling Equipment (AFHE) sites. The AFHE system is described by the DLA as an Industrial Control System with real-time data... Read More »
CISA seeking cyber incident reporting requirements feedback
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is soliciting public input regarding new cyber incident reporting requirements. Authorities indicated a Request for Information (RFI) would provide the public with 60 days to provide written submissions detailing feedback on the Cyber... Read More »
Lockheed Martin, AT&T tout military helicopter data transfer performance
Aerospace company Lockheed Martin and AT&T officials are espousing the benefits of a 5G test that successfully transferred UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter health and usage data. The test recently conducted at Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky headquarters in Stratford, Conn., demonstrated that wireless... Read More »
NIAID begins Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate TPOXX monkeypox antiviral
The AIDS Clinical Trials Group began enrolling more than 500 adults and children for a Phase 3 clinical trial of the antiviral tecovirimat (TPOXX) for use against monkeypox, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced this week. “Monkeypox can be an extremely... Read More »
Financial intermediary fund for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response launches with WHO, World Bank support
Looking to get ahead of future health concerns, a new financial intermediary fund (FIF) was officially launched last week by the FIF Governing Board, which was recently created with support from G20 members and other nations, along with a positive vote from the World Bank Board of... Read More »
Bill seeks to offer drone threat protections
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a measure on Sept. 7 he said seeks to protect communities from drone threats. The Stopping Harmful Incidents to Enforce Lawful Drone Use (SHIELD-U) Act, S. 4801, authorizes counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) activities on and off commercial... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Cantwell, Wicker, Baldwin unveil reauthorization legislation for Coast Guard
New legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) last week – the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 – would reauthorize the Coast Guard service throughout fiscal years 2022 and 2023. “The Coast Guard keeps our maritime... Read More »
DHS hiring initiative eyes bolstered CX, service delivery
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials are espousing the benefits of a new hiring initiative they said seeks to transform the customer experience (CX) while enhancing service delivery. "I have made it one of our Department's top priorities to modernize our delivery of services by... Read More »
More than 30 U.S. senators support greater funding for rural communications networks
A funding package known as the Secure & Trusted Communications Networks Act’s Reimbursement Program is nearly $3 billion short – and last week, dozens of U.S. senators wrote to Congressional leaders pushing to close that funding gap for the sake of the nation’s wireless... Read More »
Rep. Thompson addresses gun violence prevention, ghost gun impact
House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) this week joined Santa Rosa, California, officials in advocating gun violence prevention efforts while also highlighting ghost gun impacts. Thompson and Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan, Santa Rosa Councilmember Natalie... Read More »
Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council charts new territory for federal-tribal relations
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formed a unique new advisory body this week in the form of the Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council, a first-ever means for tribal leaders to advise the department on homeland security policies that affect indigenous... Read More »
Sen. Portman expresses concerns regarding Afghan evacuee vetting
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) expressed concerns this week after a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report detailed insufficient vetting procedures for Afghan evacuees arriving domestically. The lawmaker noted the DHS OIG report followed a Department of... Read More »
FirstNet expands 5G for first responders to more than 40 cities
The public safety wireless communications provider known as FirstNet announced plans this week to expand 5G operations, improve connectivity and enhance 9-1-1 resiliency now that it has reached more than 40 cities throughout the United States. “By delivering 5G on FirstNet in this unique way,... Read More »
Reps. Thompson, Calvert advocate wildfire fighting support, resources
U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA) have joined 25 congressional colleagues in advocating additional support for combating wildfires and ensuring communities have resources to suppress wildfires. Thompson and Calvert recently spearheaded the effort to forward correspondence... Read More »
AmerisourceBergen wins nearly $20M HHS contract to improve deliveries of monkeypox vaccines, treatments
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded AmerisourceBergen a $19.8 million contract to improve the delivery of monkeypox vaccines and treatments. AmerisourceBergen was specifically tasked with expanding distribution capacity and weekly shipments. The company will... Read More »
DHS recommends assessments, deployment of protective equipment or shelters to shield National Public Warning System
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a report this week entitled Electromagnetic Pulse Shielding Mitigations, which laid out a series of recommendations to best protect the National Public Warning System from the threat of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). EMPs can be man-made for... Read More »
Rep. Johnson introduces legislation addressing TikTok domestic data, device access
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) introduced this week legislation that seeks to prohibit TikTok from accessing domestic citizens’ user data from within China and block TikTok installation on government devices. The Block the Tok Act also directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate an... Read More »
CBP initiates Virtual Career Expo
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are espousing the benefits of the Fall 2022 Virtual Career Expo, which will help the agency recruit law enforcement professionals. The Sept. 13 event stems from the CBP seeking entry-level and experienced law enforcement personnel interested in a... Read More »
Curtiss-Wright Corporation awarded $120M in contracts for U.S. Navy’s Columbia-class submarine program
The U.S. Navy awarded contracts valued at approximately $120 million to the Curtiss-Wright Corporation last week, tapping the company to provide generators for its next-generation Columbia-class submarine. The Columbia is meant to replace the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, with a lead... Read More »
Republican senators deride sanctuary policies, U.S. Marshals Service immigration proposal
In a letter to the Director of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) last week, a dozen Republican senators critiqued an alleged policy proposal that conservative media said would cause illegal immigrants to be released into the United States before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could arrest... Read More »
ECS secures $53M agreement supporting Global Air Transportation Execution System
Technology, science, and digital transformation solutions company ECS has been awarded a $53 million contract supporting the USTRANSCOM Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES). ESC, a subsidiary of IT and professional services firm ASGN Incorporated, is slated to provide software... Read More »
CBP details cocaine seizures at Laredo Port of Entry
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at Laredo Port of Entry recently detailed a series of cocaine seizures. “Within a four-day span, our frontline CBP officers at Laredo Port of Entry seized a total of three significant loads of cocaine in the cargo... Read More »
Pennsylvania to invest $185M into new law enforcement, community safety programs
An announcement from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf last week revealed that $185 million in state funding would go toward two new programs to improve community safety, both through support for local law enforcement and county district attorneys’ offices. The governor’s final capstone budget... Read More »
FEMA, Ad Council focus on disaster preparedness in Black communities with newest PSAs
Create a lasting legacy – that is the message from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ad Council’s latest accessibility and preparedness PSA campaign, which will focus on the Black and African American communities nationwide. “Black and African American communities... Read More »
DoD outlines domestic clothing, textile industrial base pact
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is detailing a shared $6.8 million agreement with Burlington Industries, LLC, which will sustain and strengthen the domestic clothing and textile industrial base. The agreement extends through September 2027 and calls for Burlington Industries to invest in... Read More »