News
CDC expands monkeypox testing capacity with shipments to five commercial lab companies
Working through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began shipping monkeypox tests to five commercial lab companies this week. It aims to boost the nation’s monkeypox testing capacity at large, with assistance from Aegis... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Hoeven, Rosen applaud enactment of cybersecurity workforce legislation
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) recently applauded the enactment of their legislation to recruit, develop and retain skilled cybersecurity professionals in the federal workforce. The Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act became law in the wake... Read More »
Global Fund partners with SC Johnson to address malaria throughout Africa
A new partnership arranged between SC Johnson and the Global Fund this week will focus on resource development for malaria, one of the world’s oldest and deadliest diseases. Together, the pair intend to push for social impact in some of the places malaria has proven most stubborn: Burundi, the... Read More »
OPCW Director-General meets U.S. Arms Control officials to discuss current international security, stockpile destruction
In an official visit to Washington, D.C., the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Fernando Arias, met with various U.S. officials to address current international security and prevent the re-emergence of chemical weapons. Under... Read More »
GAO issues cyber risk, insurance assessment recommendations
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued two recommendations to the Treasury Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding cyber risks and cyber insurance assessments. Per the GAO, the agency conducted the study amid cyber threats to critical... Read More »
Bipartisan group of senators call for more advanced artillery for Ukraine
This week, a bipartisan call from four senators urged the U.S. Department of Defense to dispatch more advanced artillery rocket systems and ammunition to Ukraine in support of its efforts to repel a Russian invasion. In a letter, U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick... Read More »
Bipartisan Senate push seeks higher level leadership to remain at helm of Jerusalem-based USSC post
A bipartisan collection of 34 senators expressed concern this week amid reports that the Pentagon may downgrade the U.S. Security Coordinator (USSC) position based in Israel to a colonel rather than a three-star general. The senators argue that the change could disrupt operations at a key U.S.... Read More »
International IED training at New York State preparedness training center deemed success
Over the course of a week, the latest iteration of the Raven’s Challenge, an improvised explosive devices (IED) training exercise for state, federal, and international partners in public safety and military, gathered more than 100 personnel in New York’s Oneida County this month. The State... Read More »
Battelle introduces PFAS contamination solution
Battelle officials have indicated the company has developed a proven solution to eliminate the source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminated drinking water. The PFAS ANNIHILATOR, which destroys the chemicals by preventing them from entering drinking water systems, stemmed... Read More »
Republican House committee leadership promote more aggressive response to Russian nuclear threats
According to a letter from the Republican leads on three House committees, not enough is being done to deter Russia from utilizing nuclear weapons in its assault on Ukraine – and they urged President Joe Biden to be clearer and more combative in his approaches. At this point, said U.S. Reps.... Read More »
DHS releases enforcement strategy for blocking forced labor-made goods from China’s Xinjiang
Following up on the demands made by the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week published its official strategy for barring importations from China’s Xinjiang region and cracking down on goods made from forced labor. China has come... Read More »
Measure seeks to address gun sales loophole
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) announced the reintroduction of the Default Proceed Sale Transparency Act, which seeks to close a loophole enabling some gun sales to be completed without Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check results. U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL), Jimmy... Read More »
National Defense Authorization Act advances through Senate Armed Services Committee
The upcoming fiscal year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) overcame one of its major hurdles last week, advancing out of the Senate Armed Services Committee after consideration of 433 amendments and the adoption of 223. Committee markup and approval is the first big step to set... Read More »
HSI details $4.7M narcotics trafficking indictment
The U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) recently led an investigation that led to the indictment of 20 Mexican nationals among 39 defendants for narcotics trafficking. The individuals had roles in a $4.7 million conspiracy to distribute more than 335 kilograms of methamphetamine and 22... Read More »
DOJ, European Union unify ransomware attack combating efforts
Department of Justice and European Union officials are espousing the benefits of a recent two-day workshop in The Hague to share best practices and enhance collaboration in confronting ransomware attacks. “Only by working together with key law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in the EU... Read More »
Senate advances PACT Act of 2022 to president, promising greater focus on toxic exposure among veterans
A positive vote of 84-14 in the Senate passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 through its final legislative hurdle last week, advancing it to President Joe Biden to sign. The legislation introduced by U.S. Sens.... Read More »
Reps. LaHood, Panetta lead coalition urging strengthened U.S. supply chains
U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (IL) and Jimmy Panetta (CA) led 18 colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden, encouraging him to improve supply chains, national preparedness, and vaccine delivery efficiency. They hope this will help the nation recover economically from the COVID-19... Read More »
Bill addresses federal police, first responder full compensation
U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Don Bacon (R-NE), Val Demings (D-FL), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently introduced legislation that seeks to ensure federal police and first responders are paid full compensation earned. The Law Enforcement Officer Fair Retirement Act enables officers to... Read More »
FDA issues emergency use authorization for Roche’s cobas SARS-CoV-2 Duo
Roche broke new ground with its cobas SARS-CoV-2 Duo, which this week received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization (EUA) to become the first PCR test capable of simultaneously detecting COVID-19 and quantitatively measuring viral load levels. “The test’s... Read More »
DARPA exploring new hybrid reef-mimicking structures research
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected three research teams to develop solutions for hybrid reef-mimicking structures research. DARPA launched the Reefense program to target coastal flooding, erosion, and storm damage threatening civilian and Department of Defense... Read More »
DHS S&T aiding indoor mapping capability development
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is funding the development of a cloud-based capability aiding digital indoor mapping capability. Collaboration with Waterloo, Ontario-based Mappedin Inc. yielded Mappedin Response, which enables first... Read More »
Sens. Booker, Durbin introduce VICTIM Act in effort to increase rates of solved murder cases
Taking up a law enforcement-focused bill first introduced by U.S. Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced a companion to the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act this week. Backed by both police groups... Read More »
Lawmakers seek comprehensive southern border policy review
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) recently joined 34 colleagues in forwarding correspondence to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking a review of the department's southern border policy. The lawmakers noted that the follow-up letter to DHS Inspector General... Read More »
Lockheed Martin will build first DoD long-duration energy storage system under new contract
As part of a new contract awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Lockheed Martin will head to Fort Carson, Colo., to set up the department’s first megawatt-scale, long-duration energy storage system. Known as GridStar Flow, this system will be under the management of the U.S. Army... Read More »
Sanofi-GSK next-generation COVID-19 booster vaccine makes strong protective showing against variants of concern
In two trials of a new Sanofi-GSK COVID-19 booster vaccine, strong immune responses were offered to previously vaccinated adults, and solid protection was offered against variants of concern, according to the company’s latest data. This booster is modeled on the Beta variant antigen,... Read More »
DHS S&T publishes Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Reference Architecture document
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) personnel are espousing the benefits of the agency publishing the Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Reference Architecture document. The document incorporates modern cybersecurity principles to... Read More »
Lockheed Martin, Korea Aerospace Industries launch new partnership
Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) recently announced their latest partnership agreement, focusing on future T-50 opportunities. The T-50 is a proven aircraft program designed to reduce the new pilots learning curve while aiding the process of pilots flying faster operational... Read More »
Introduction of House’s People Over Pentagon Act promotes $100B cut to defense spending
U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced the People Over Pentagon Act this week, which seeks a $100 billion cut from the defense budget. “The United States spends more on defense than the next nine countries combined, and cutting it by $100 billion will still keep the... Read More »
Legislation introduced to close illegal alien loophole
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has joined a group of colleagues in introducing a measure that addresses an illegal alien policy loophole. Kennedy recently detailed the Keep Our Communities Safe Act, indicating the measure addresses a catch-and-release loophole, requiring the government to... Read More »
Resolution designates National Cybersecurity Education Month
U.S. Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) has introduced a resolution designating June as National Cybersecurity Education Month. “In today's hyper-connected world, cybersecurity is national security,” Garbarino, ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Cybersecurity,... Read More »
BARDA orders extra 500,000 doses of Bavarian Nordic’s JYNNEOS smallpox, monkeypox vaccine
Responding to an increase in global cases of monkeypox, the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) purchased an additional 500,000 doses of the liquid-frozen JYNNEOS vaccine, a Bavarian Nordic A/S product. JYNNEOS holds the unique position of being the only U.S. Food... Read More »
Senators reveal limited, bipartisan gun control agreement
A bipartisan group of senators revealed a limited agreement for gun safety legislation on June 12, in an effort to reform American gun laws in the wake of a series of mass shootings across the country, While numerous Democrats supported the bill, 10 Republicans backed it as well, promising the... Read More »
Reps. Pocan, Garademendi press DoD for greater oversight of defense industry mergers
U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and John Garamendi (D-CA) have called on Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for more scrutiny of industry mergers following a recent U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) report that labeled consolidation of the defense industry a threat. In February, the DoD noted that... Read More »
Legislation introduced to strengthen efforts preventing military contractor price gouging
U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have introduced a bill to strengthen acquisition laws by preventing military contractor price gouging. “As Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, I know how much we pay for parts to keep military equipment... Read More »