News
Bavarian Nordic secures smallpox vaccine supply contract to address monkeypox outbreak
Amid some nervousness over a monkeypox outbreak this year, Bavarian Nordic A/S announced that it has a new supply contract for its smallpox vaccine meant to help those at risk of monkeypox in the short or medium term. The country to benefit from that contract remains unidentified at this time.... Read More »
Bill targets federal cybersecurity information sharing
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Gary Peters (D-MI) recently praised the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) for advancing the Intragovernmental Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act. The bill seeks to ensure cybersecurity... Read More »
Senate panel advances federal firefighter benefits legislation
U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are commending the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) for advancing legislation aiding the federal firefighter benefits platform. Carper and Collins, co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus,... Read More »
Sen. Peters releases ransomware report detailing rising attacks, use of cryptocurrencies for ransom payments
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, concluded an investigation this week into cryptocurrencies’ role in cybercriminal activities with a new ransomware report. In “Use of Cryptocurrency in Ransomware Attacks, Available... Read More »
DOJ details charges against Iraqi national involved in murder plot against former President
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has detailed charges against an Iraqi citizen living in Columbus, Ohio, whom the agency alleged was involved in plans to murder former President George W. Bush. Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, 52, was arrested by FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force agents and charged... Read More »
Reps. Turner, Jordan seek clarity regarding FBI Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorities
U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) forwarded correspondence Tuesday to FBI Director Christopher Wray, seeking clarity regarding the agency's use of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authorities. The legislators focused on the 3.3 million person queries in 2021 -... Read More »
Sens. Rubio, Gillibrand, and Rounds seek to fund U.S.-Israel missile defense programs
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) forwarded correspondence to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Monday, advocating for the total funding of U.S.-Israel cooperative missile defense programs. The funding allocation would apply to the... Read More »
Air Force awards KBR $44M contract for systems, software protection
Science, technology, and engineering for KBR has secured a $44 million Air Force task order to protect systems and software from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. "We are excited to be a part of this significant project to protect the Air Force's... Read More »
FBI: Active shooter incidents in United States rose more than 50 percent last year
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced last week that 61 active shooter incidents were reported last year, representing a 52.5 percent increase from 2020 reports. Those numbers also led to 103 deaths and 140 injuries, not including the shooters. This gave 2021 a dubious distinction... Read More »
Rep. Garbarino introduces legislation to help DHS retain, recruit officers to counter transnational crimes
Worried about personnel shortages at the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit (TCIU) program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), new House legislation would authorize new incentivization to officers for retention and recruitment... Read More »
House committee advances PREVENT Act
U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) recently applauded the House Committee on Homeland Security for advancing the PREVENT Act, legislation he introduced to protect drug handling Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. “As the crisis at the southern border continues to spiral out of control, so... Read More »
DHS seeking 2022 Biometric Technology Rally submissions
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is seeking 2022 Biometric Technology Rally submissions. DHS S&T indicated the agency is requesting industry personnel to submit applications to participate in the 2022 Rally slated for the Maryland Test... Read More »
HHS to invest up to $300M over next 10 years into CARB-X efforts to combat antimicrobial resistant infections
Beginning with $20 million this year, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will commit up to $300 million to support antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infection research conducted through the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) over... Read More »
Measure seeks to address police department staffing shortages
U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) recently joined nine colleagues in co-sponsoring a bill to address nationwide police staffing shortages. The Pathways to Policing Act invests in programs to aid state and local law enforcement agencies struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels by... Read More »
Measure seeks to strengthen firefighting efforts for federal weather service
U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) recently introduced a bill that seeks to enhance federal weather service firefighting efforts. The Fire Ready Nation Act of 2022 would create a fire weather services program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration... Read More »
House advances Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act to better equip federal agencies to tackle homegrown terrorists
The U.S. House of Representatives put racially motivated extremists, white supremacists, and other purveyors of domestic terrorism on notice last week with its advancement of the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA, H.R. 350). Proponents have sought to push such a bill since at least 2017,... Read More »
Bills target border security, migrant trafficking
U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) recently introduced the Emergency Migration Response Act and the Border Security and Migrant Safety Act to bolster southern border security and address migrant human trafficking. The Emergency Migration Response Act directs the Department... Read More »
Cybersecurity legislation heads to President’s desk for signature
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) recently introduced legislation to promote enhanced cybersecurity coordination between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state and local governments. The State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act previously passed the... Read More »
BARDA taps Bavarian Nordic to freeze-dry smallpox vaccine supplies
Beginning in 2023 and 2024, Bavarian Nordic A/S will, for the first time, manufacture and invoice a freeze-dried version of its JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine to the U.S. government. The announcement followed a decision by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to exercise... Read More »
NIAID utilizes $577M to establish nine pathogen antiviral drug development centers
Through awards amounting to approximately $577 million, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is working to create nine Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern, working to develop innovative drugs. “The COVID-19 pandemic has... Read More »
AstraZeneca licenses early-stage monoclonal antibodies from RQ Biotechnology for use against COVID-19
In an expansion of its efforts against COVID-19, AstraZeneca announced a new agreement this week with RQ Biotechnology Ltd. that will see it acquire the worldwide license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Developed by the U.K.-based RQ... Read More »
Javelin Joint Venture secures Army missiles production pact
The Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Lockheed Martin partnership Javelin Joint Venture has secured $309 million in Army contracts for Javelin missiles and associated equipment and services. The agreements call for over 1,300 Javelin missiles funded from the recent Ukraine Supplemental... Read More »
DOJ details violent crime summit
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently hosted a virtual summit to address increased gun violence impacting communities nationwide. The two-day session established an assembly of more than 500 prosecutors, federal and local law enforcement officials, and community partners under the... Read More »
Rep. Eric Swalwell introduces bill to improve U.S. cybersecurity protections to counter Russian threats
As fears of Russian cyber threats in reprisal for U.S. support of Ukraine continue to grow across Congress, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) introduced the Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Training Act this week to bolster U.S. cybersecurity. The new legislation would mandate the... Read More »
Shootings in New York, California prompt call for immediate vote on House Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act
Over the weekend, 11 people were killed and more injured across two separate shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Laguna Woods, Calif., and with them as a backdrop, U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) says it is past time for a House vote on the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (H.R. 350). “The rise... Read More »
Republican legislators introduce resolution to combat crime, increase security at southern border
Over 30 Republican legislators recently introduced a resolution that seeks to spur the Biden administration and Congress to act in developing a security plan to combat a rise in crime and increase security at the southern border. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) served as the resolution's sponsor... Read More »
DHS, DOL outline supplemental H-2B visa allocation
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) officials said 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas are available during the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022. “These additional H-2B visas will help employers meet the demand for seasonal workers at this... Read More »
FDA authorizes first non-prescription test for COVID-19, flu and RSV
Broadening testing capabilities and achieving a long-term goal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week authorized the first COVID-19 test also capable of detecting flu and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) without requiring a prescription. The multifunctional test, the... Read More »
FirstNet, NIST initiate public safety virtual experience center
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) officials are espousing the launch of the Public Safety Immersive Test Center in Boulder, Colo. Authorities indicated the effort would nurture the development and deployment of... Read More »
DHS invests $1.6B for preparedness grant programs for state, local aid
Across a series of grant programs, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last week that it will disperse $1.6 billion this fiscal year in support of state and local officials seeking to plan for, prevent, halt and respond to terrorism and other issues. Supplementing $405.1... Read More »
Ugandan preparedness, response to 2018-2020 Ebola outbreaks highlights path for other nations
According to a peer-reviewed analysis from scientists at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and Ugandan colleagues, Uganda’s preparedness efforts during the 2018-2020 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo showed the potential value of... Read More »
Resolution seeks designation of Russia as state sponsor of terrorism
U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) recently introduced a resolution advocating the Secretary of State to designate the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism. The resolution outlines how the Russian Federation has and continues to promote acts of international terrorism... Read More »
Global COVID-19 Summit brings new policy, financial commitments to whole-of-society pandemic preparations
At the second Global COVID-19 Summit last week, governments, including the United States, pledged to provide $3.2 billion in additional funds for COVID-19 and other pandemic preparedness needs and committed to expanding and accelerating testing and vaccine access. This year’s summit was led by... Read More »
Phase 1 trial results of virus-like particle vaccine show promise against encephalitis viruses
A vaccine candidate for eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) proved safe, well-tolerated, and robust in antibody response during a Phase 1 clinical trial reported in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The... Read More »