News
National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 passes with provisions for addressing PFAS spills
The $770 billion Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA; S. 1605) was signed into law last week, and among its many provisions were funding for addressing both Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination throughout the United States. This will take the form of new... Read More »
Bipartisan senators commend the signing of legislation authorizing National Cyber Director detailees
A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently applauded the passage of legislation authorizing non-reimbursable Office of the National Cyber Director (NCD) detailees. U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Angus King (I-ME), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) said the measure... Read More »
MilliporeSigma secures DoD, HHS agreement
MilliporeSigma, based in Sheboygan, Wis., has secured a Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) pact to establish domestic nitrocellulose membrane production capacity. The $136.7 million contract would enable MilliporeSigma to expand its industrial base to... Read More »
Legislators praise National Mall veterans memorial bill passage
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) recently commended the passage of their legislation, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act, which enables the placement of a National Mall memorial honoring Global War on Terrorism veterans. “In the wake of 9/11, millions of... Read More »
Reps. Jacobs, Ryan commend measure aiding reservists
U.S. Reps. Chris Jacobs (R-NY) and Tim Ryan (D-OH) are espousing the benefits of a recently signed measure they said is designed to aid Army Reserves and National Guard members. The Reservists Opportunity Act (H.R. 5063) was signed into law by President Joe Biden in accordance with part of the... Read More »
Justice Department announces more than $125M in STOP School Violence Act Grants
The U.S. Department of Justice announced it would be providing nearly $126 million in funding to advance school safety under the STOP School Violence Act. The grants fund safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools, as well as school violence prevention efforts, training for... Read More »
Funding guaranteed for Abrams tanks, Stryker vehicles and M-SHORAD through NDAA
As a result of the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act’s (NDAA) passage into law, among the beneficiaries of its funding will be the U.S. military’s Abrams tanks, Stryker vehicles, and Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) program, all slated for billions of dollars in... Read More »
Proposed National Critical Capabilities Defense Act seeks review, screening of U.S. supply chain
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Victoria Spartz (R-IN), and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) introduced new legislation that seeks a new review process for the nation’s supply chain to screen out vulnerabilities and exploits for national adversaries. “The unfolding global... Read More »
Rep. Smith applauds passage of forced labor prevention legislation
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) recently applauded the enactment of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (H.R. 6256), which stops U.S. imports produced by slave labor. Smith served as the bill's co-sponsor. "Enactment into law of the bipartisan Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act I co-sponsored... Read More »
IAVG stresses need to prioritize vaccine equity in 70 percent immunization push
The Independent Allocation of Vaccines Group (IAVG), a manager of needs-based allocations for the global COVAX initiative, criticized rich nations last week for hoarding COVID-19 vaccines and issued steps to achieve a new goal of 70 percent immunization coverage by mid-2022. “As the overall... Read More »
DARPA to aid addressing microelectronics advancement challenges
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently announced that it is participating in an initiative to address microelectronics advancement challenges. DARPA personnel have detailed the Joint University Microelectronics Program 2.0 (JUMP 2.0), described as a long-term university... Read More »
Last group of resettling Afghan nationals leave temporary housing at Marine Corps Base Quantico
As part of a Department of State-led resettlement effort known as Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), the final group of Afghan nationals departed a temporary safe haven at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., to find their way into the United States. The Department of Defense still houses approximately... Read More »
Human trafficking provision signed into law as part of National Defense Authorization Act
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) announced Monday that at provision they authored to combat human trafficking had been signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Based on Peters and Portman’s DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act, the provision would... Read More »
CBP outlines expansion of Washington Simplified Arrival
Simplified Arrival, an enhanced international arrival process utilizing facial biometrics to automate manual document checks at border crossings, has been expanded in Washington state, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The expansion applies to border crossings at the... Read More »
Justice Department seeks to improve services for crime victims with more than $40M in grants
A total of 14 programs focused on victims of crime earned more than $40 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) last week as a means of culturally specific enhancement to help them better reflect and support their communities. Of these, an award of nearly $2.9 million went to... Read More »
CDC releases emergency guidance for healthcare facilities in response to potential Omicron surge
As the number of Omicron variant cases of COVID-19 grows, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated guidance for healthcare workers regarding their isolation and quarantine times after being infected. Additionally, the CDC updated its guidance for contingency and... Read More »
FDA authorizes rapid Roche COVID-19 test for emergency over-the-counter use
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bestowed emergency use authorization (EUA) to Roche’s COVID-19 at-home test last week, expanding over-the-counter options for those concerned about SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. As a result, the test will now be available for self-use by... Read More »
DARPA initiative addresses machine learning attacks
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched an initiative to address potential machine learning (ML) model attacks. The Guaranteeing AI Robustness against Deception (GARD) program seeks to work ahead of safety challenges by developing a new generation of defenses against... Read More »
Senators request USGS plans, funding needs for earthquake warning system
A collection of West Coast-based senators wrote to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) last week in pursuit of its plans and funding needs regarding the nearly 70 percent completed West Coast Early Earthquake Warning System. Recognizing that most of the way there is significantly... Read More »
FDA authorizes Pfizer’s and Merck’s pills for COVID-19, the first oral antivirals
The United States authorized the first two pill-based treatments for COVID-19 last week, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granting emergency use authorization to both Pfizer Inc.’s paxlovid and Merck & Co. Inc.’s molnupiravir. Taking the honor of first approval was paxlovid.... Read More »
CBP in final stages of upgrading marine vessel fleet
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said Air and Marine Operations (AMO) is in the final stages of upgrading and modernizing its marine vessel fleet. The AMO contractually accepted its final 41-Foot SAFE Boat Coastal Interceptor Vessel (CIV) on Dec. 15. The vessel slated to arrive... Read More »
Sen. Warren, Rep. Escobar call on DoD to increase resilience against climate change
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX), called on the U.S. Department of Defense to take proactive steps that would ensure defense assets and installations are ready in the face of climate change. In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III,... Read More »
Rep. Castor praises decision to make MacDill AFB home to KC-46s
Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) commended the Department of the Air Force for selecting Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base as the preferred location to host 24 KC-46s. “I am thrilled that MacDill was chosen to be the new main operating base for 24 KC-46s Pegasus aircraft," Castor noted. "The patriotic... Read More »
DHS seeking homeland security technology proposals
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) is soliciting research proposals from entities for a broad range of 11 homeland security technology needs. “A strength of the DHS SBIR program is that each year we can partner with innovative small businesses... Read More »
CEPI broadens partnership with SK bioscience in pursuit of variant-proof vaccine for viruses like SARS-CoV-2
The Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness will award up to $50 million in expanded support to SK bioscience as the company pursues a variant-proof vaccine candidate for sarbecoviruses, a group of viruses from which SARS-CoV-2 emerged. “The rapid spread of the Omicron variant serves as a stark... Read More »
CISA hosts cybersecurity forum for state and local election officials
State and local election officials recently participated in a Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)-hosted forum to discuss cyber navigator programs. Cyber navigators are state liaisons responsible for aiding under-resourced local jurisdictions in managing cyber risks, helping... Read More »
Secret Service appoints coordinator to address fraudulent COVID-19 relief
With stolen benefits from COVID-19 relief applications nearing $100 billion, Secret Service investigations of fraud at this scale are ramping up, and as part of those efforts, the agency this week appointed Assistant Special Agent in Charge Roy Dotson as National Pandemic Fraud Recovery... Read More »
ICE announces body camera pilot program
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Tuesday it would be launching a body camera pilot program for ICE law enforcement officers in pre-planned operations. The use of body worn cameras, the agency said, will enhance ICE operations, including at-large arrests and searches, as... Read More »U.S. Senate passes bill to improve federal workforce’s understanding of AI
Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) aimed at improving the federal workforce’s understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) passed the U.S. Senate on Monday. The bill, Artificial Intelligence Training for the Acquisition Workforce Act, would... Read More »
HHS launches PandemicX Accelerator to narrow health inequities
In an effort to close health disparities brought to light and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week that it has banded together with 15 digital health startups in the 2022 PandemicX Accelerator. “PandemicX will... Read More »DOJ awards $1.6 billion in grants to reduce violent crime
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is awarding $1.6 billion in grants to support programs designed to reduce violent crime while strengthening communities. “The Department of Justice is committed to supporting our state and local partners to combat crime across the country,” Attorney General... Read More »
Moderna’s COVID booster vaccine spurs significant antibodies against Omicron variant
In preliminary showings, a third dose of Moderna Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine increased antibody levels against the Omicron variant currently sweeping the world, painting the company’s strategy forward even as a years-long pandemic continues to evolve. The report followed news that omicron, which... Read More »
House bill seeks to protect supply chain from adversaries
A group of lawmakers have introduced a measure they said seeks to protect the domestic supply chain from foreign adversaries that include China and Russia. Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Victoria Spartz (R-IN) introduced the National Critical... Read More »
Marine Corps conduct field training exercise in Japan
Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) personnel recently conducted Resolute Dragon 21, the largest bilateral field training exercise, which was executed in Japan. The exercise involved over 4,000 troops from 3d Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF’s... Read More »