News
Department of Interior commits to help recruit, train more Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers
Following recent hearings of the Senate Indian Affairs and Interior Appropriations Committees, officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior committed to grow the U.S. Indian Law Enforcement Advanced Training Center (ATC) and work to recruit and train more Tribal law enforcement officers.... Read More »
New legislation seeks to streamline cases for Camp Lejeune water victims
As the legal actions over decades of contaminated water at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune continue, last week U.S. Reps. Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) and Deborah Ross (D-NC) introduced a bill to remove barriers to veteran benefits under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. “Our brave veterans put their... Read More »
FEMA, NOAA, and NWS issue annual hurricane outlook ahead of 2024 Atlantic hurricane season
In preparation for the 2024 hurricane season’s kickoff next month, FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks joined National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad, and National Weather Service (NWS) Director Ken Graham issued the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season... Read More »
Reps. Stefanik, Moolenaar urge DOJ to investigate drone group
On Wednesday, U.S. Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) urged the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the Drone Advocacy Alliance (DAA) for potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The DAA is an advocacy group that is funded by Chinese... Read More »
New bill would require U.S. Intelligence agencies to develop cyber safeguards for ports
With the introduction of the Secure Smartports Act, U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) seek to convince their fellow lawmakers of the danger to U.S. ports posed by Chinese cyberattacks and intrusion. “Every day we don’t understand the risks of relying on Chinese technology is... Read More »
U.S. Cyber Command, DARPA advance partnership under Constellation technology pathway
Although they have been working together on the Constellation pilot program since 2022, the U.S. Cyber Command and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently deepened their ties with an agreement on future planning necessities. Constellation is a pilot program meant to get cyber... Read More »
Bicameral bill proposes reforms for VA healthcare, benefits, and services
A triumvirate of Senate and House leaders introduced the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371) this week in a bid to reform and improve healthcare, benefits, and services for veterans, their families, and their survivors. It was... Read More »
House lawmakers press DoD to accelerate weapon deliveries, training for Ukraine
Amid ramped up assaults by Russian forces on Ukraine, a group of U.S. Congress members recently urged the Biden administration to hasten deliveries of resources to its Eastern European ally. “The Ukrainian people continue to demonstrate a strong willingness to resist Russian efforts to take... Read More »
DHS establishes Homeland Intelligence Advisory Council to oversee, advise
A new entity under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will advise it on homeland intelligence activities and issues, in the form of the Homeland Intelligence Advisory Board. Announced earlier this month, the Board will report to the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis,... Read More »
Eastern Shipbuilding Group announces Phase II for Nelson Street infrastructure projects
The second phase of work on Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s (ESG) Nelson Street government shipbuilding facility got underway in Florida this month, promising major infrastructure improvements to build up its abilities to construct and deliver ships. Meant to shore up the Department of... Read More »
Bipartisan Recruit and Retain Act to bolster U.S. police force heads for president’s signature
With its passage through the House last week, the Recruit and Retain Act (S. 546) is headed for President Joe Biden, bringing with it a possible expansion of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to back law enforcement recruitment efforts. Originally introduced in the... Read More »
House advances Israel Security Assistance Support Act
The House of Representatives last week voted through the Israel Security Assistance Support Act (H.R. 8369), which would restrict the president’s ability to withhold weapons transfers to Israel. “The Biden Administration’s decision to withhold weapons is catastrophic and goes directly... Read More »
Effort to equip female DHS officers with better tailored body armor advances through Senate committee
A bill from U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Katie Britt (R-AL) to get next generation body armor – better suited to its wearers – to the Department of Homeland Security’s(DHS) law enforcement personnel advanced swiftly out of committee last week. The senators introduced the DHS Better... Read More »
Bipartisan effort calls for details on foreign attempts to infiltrate U.S. military bases
A group of seven U.S. representatives recently wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a search for details on foreign adversaries’ attempts to spy on U.S. military bases. Led by U.S. Reps. Keith Self (R-TX) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), the members asked Austin to detail the number of... Read More »
House bill calls for AI task force within Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
As more governments and businesses seek what artificial intelligence (AI) can offer, U.S. Reps. Troy Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) want to make certain guardrails are in place through new legislation and a new federal task force. In the recently introduced Cybersecurity and... Read More »
Senators push to preserve procurement levels for attack submarines
A group of 14 U.S. senators recently called on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to maintain a two-per-year procurement of Virginia Class submarines for the sake of military dominance and industrial support. Signatories to a letter on the matter included Democrats and... Read More »
House advances appropriations for Coast Guard operations through 2026
In approving the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 7659), the House recently authorized funding for the service’s operations and recapitalization efforts in 2025 and 2026, among other measures. “The men and women of the Coast Guard deserve the support of this Congress in their... Read More »
Commerce Department blacklists 37 Chinese entities over quantum, spying concerns
The U.S. Commerce Department recently added 37 Chinese entities to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) trade restriction list, blacklisting them for a wide range of national security concerns. The reasons ranged from support for the spy balloon that flew over the United States last year,... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Peters and Britt propose modern, better-suited body armor for DHS personnel
In introducing the DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act (S. 4305) this month, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Katie Britt (R-AL) sought to equip the Department of Homeland Security’s law enforcement personnel with next generation body armor better fit to its wearers. “Our brave Department... Read More »
BIOSECURE Act would prohibit federal contracting with biotechnology firms of foreign adversaries
With China in mind, U.S. Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) recently introduced the BIOSECURE Act (H.R.8333) – a bill to make it illegal for the federal government to contract with the biotechnology companies of foreign adversaries. Pitched as a way to safeguard... Read More »
U.S. initiative targets money mules involved in fraud
As part of an annual action known as the Money Mule Initiative, federal law enforcement agencies took action against more than 3,000 alleged mules looking to undertake a variety of transnational fraud schemes. Participating agencies included the U.S. Justice Department, FBI, U.S. Postal... Read More »
Rise in transit crime sparks concern from House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
In a recent letter to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Republicans from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently pressed for details on the federal response to and mitigation of safety threats to transit passengers nationwide. Their query based itself largely on... Read More »
Fire Grants and Safety Act proposes new support for firefighter, first responder services
With approval from the House this week, the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S.870) seems set for signature by President Joe Biden, and would bring with it extended authorization for firefighter and first responder support nationwide. Sponsored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), the bill incorporated... Read More »
Shuffle at the Cyber Safety Review Board as four seats change hands
The Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), which is only two years old, announced a shakeup in membership this week, as four current members departed and were replaced by others. The Board was created in February 2022, following President Joe Biden's direction to improve U.S. cybersecurity. It is... Read More »
Dozens of federal lawmakers oppose Air Force proposal to reassign National Guard units out of governors’ authority
Opposition rose this week against a proposal from the U.S. Air Force within the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), over its push to transfer National Guard units performing space missions to the U.S. Space Force without governors’ approval. A group of 81 senators and... Read More »
New federal report connects emergency responders with non-detonable training aids for explosive detection dogs
In order to properly prepare working canines for explosives detection, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) released a new report to help emergency responders find non-detonable training aids. “The Detection Canine Program at S&T plays a critical... Read More »
Border Security and Enforcement Block Grant Act proposes federal grant funding for physical border barriers
Through new legislation, U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Mike Turner (R-OH) recently placed themselves at odds with the Biden administration by seeking to enable federal grant funding for states to create physical barriers at the southern border. A hallmark of the previous Trump... Read More »
Avian flu outbreak prompts Congressional request for interagency coordination
Fearing the potential behind a recent outbreak of avian flu (H5N1), 17 U.S. senators wrote to Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack this week urging a more coordinated approach between federal, public and state agencies. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... Read More »
New Raytheon advanced ground system gives U.S. advanced warning for space-based missiles
Thanks to work by Raytheon, an advanced new ground system for space-based missile warning recently deployed at the U.S. Space Force's Overhead Persistent Infrared Battlespace Awareness Center (OBAC). Raytheon – an RTX business – got the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution Mission... Read More »
FBI Report: Older population hit by more than $3.4B in scam losses in 2023
According to the latest Elder Fraud Report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 2023 brought losses of more than $3.4 billion to those over 60 years old in the United States, thanks to an increasing variety of targeted scams. “This report underscores the fact that seniors are a... Read More »
Protect and Serve Act would elevate the harming or attempted harm of law enforcement to a federal crime
Following the deaths of four police officers while executing an arrest warrant in North Carolina last week, a group of U.S. senators introduced the Protect and Serve Act (S. 4258) to turn attempts to harm or successfully harming a law enforcement officer into a federal crime. Traditionally, such... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Steil, Dean introduce legislation to target human trafficking among other countries
As a way to crackdown on human trafficking, two U.S. representatives recently introduced the Exposing the Financing of Human Trafficking Act (H.R. 8185), which would authorize the United States to hold foreign countries accountable for related efforts targeting these criminal... Read More »
DoD challenge brings opportunities for nine new ideas in talent management
A Department of Defense (DoD) 2040 Task Force (D2T) challenge on talent management innovation drew in more than 200 proposals from across the Armed Services over the last year. Launched in August 2023, the challenge sought ideas from Service members and affected civilians on how to improve... Read More »
TSA publishes final rule on Flight Training Security Program improvements
For the first time since its creation in 2004, the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Flight Training Security Program is getting an overhaul. As published in the Federal Register this week, TSA plans to update the program for efficacy and efficiency, including the security threat... Read More »