News
Bipartisan senators urge increase in maximum number of authorized H-2B visas
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators recently sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor, urging the agencies to release the maximum number of Congressionally-authorized H-2B visas for fiscal year 2025. The H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Visa Program allows... Read More »
DOE, NNSA work to mitigate risks of AI, improve national security
A new security memo from the White House on Artificial Intelligence, the first ever released, will galvanize the federal government in its AI National Security mission, officials said. The National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence provides direction on harnessing AI models and... Read More »
Autonomous and networked maritime systems successfully tested by AUKUS
Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS) successfully completed tests of several autonomous and networked systems during Autonomous Warrior 24, a three-week series of maritime experiments and exercises, in Australia. "AUKUS partners have long histories of working together on... Read More »
Massachusetts lawmakers urge ATF to stem influx of illegal firearms into the state
Members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation recently sent a letter to the heads of the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), urging the ATF to increase its work to mitigate the influx of illegal firearms into Massachusetts from other... Read More »
DHS S&T awards Minority Serving Institutions $1.8M for summer research
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) said on Oct. 23 it awarded 19 research teams from Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) $1.78 million in Summer Research Team Program funding for homeland security-related research. Awardees include Hispanic... Read More »
Army awards Raytheon $676M in contracts for TOW weapon system
The U.S. Army has awarded RTX’s Raytheon a $676 million contract to continue manufacturing the TOW weapon system. The tube-launched, optically tracked, wireless-guided TOW system will be in service with the U.S. and allied forces beyond 2050, officials said. The contracts cover two separate... Read More »
DoD, SBA approve first group of investment funds for economic, national security technology
The Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently approved the first group of Small Business Investment Company Licensees and Green Light Approved investment funds under the Small Business Investment Company Critical Technology (SBICCT) Initiative. The... Read More »
Advanced Border Coordination Act would enhance law enforcement at southern border
Members of Congress proposed a bipartisan bill Oct. 22 that aims to strengthen law enforcement operations and collaboration at America’s southern border. “For the safety of our communities, we have to restore the rule of law and secure our borders, and DHS [Department of Homeland Security]... Read More »
Homeland Security Committee Republican request hearing on cyberattacks
On Monday, Republican members of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security requested a hearing from intelligence agencies about the cyberattack by Salt Typhoon on ISPs like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies. U.S. Reps. Mark Greene (R-TN), Andrew Garbarina (R-NY), and Laurel Lee (R-FL)... Read More »
Justice Department to implement rule addressing data security
The Justice Department recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to implement an executive order President Joe Biden issued in February. The order, Preventing Access to Americans’ Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern,... Read More »
McKinsey & Company working for Chinese military, House committee claims
American consulting firm McKinsey & Company is working for the Chinese military and Chinese Communist Party, according to the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Committee Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently shared... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee reports details Chinese Communist Party threats
The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security on Oct. 17 released an assessment, detailing recent instances of Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-related espionage in the United States as well as acts of transnational repression. The assessment, China Threat Snapshot, also documents recent legislative... Read More »
U.S. senators warn of IV fluid shortage
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators led by Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) recently asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take action on the nation’s intravenous fluid shortage. In an Oct. 11 letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, the senators urged the department to address... Read More »
Pending federal bill aims to improve visa processing
A bipartisan bill under consideration in the U.S. House Judiciary Committee would improve visa processing by reducing the need to mail physical copies of documents that are already submitted electronically, easing the burden on applicants and saving the U.S. State Department time and... Read More »
Raytheon to pay more than $950M to settle foreign bribery charges
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday that Raytheon Company, a subsidiary of RTX, will pay more than $950 million as a result of an investigation into a major government fraud scheme. According to the DOJ, Raytheon will pay the fine and enter into a three-year deferred... Read More »
NNSA launches 25-year blueprint for nuclear security
On Tuesday, the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) released its 25-year plan for the Nuclear Security Enterprise. The Enterprise Blueprint will align the delivery of specialized infrastructure with the demands across the nuclear stockpile, global security... Read More »
Washington state’s DNA project has collected 3,000 samples
A DNA project lawfully owed by Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has helped law enforcement collect 3,000 DNA profiles of serious criminal offenders over the past five years and logged them into the national Combined DNA Index System. The system can exonerate individuals who were... Read More »Charges pressed against seven members of Pennsylvania firearm trafficking ring
Law enforcement recently pressed charges against seven members of the Six Figure Boys, a Pittsburgh-based retail theft and firearms trafficking ring. Group members were based in Pittsburgh’s Northview Heights neighborhood and included a pawn shop owner who allegedly bought and re-sold stolen... Read More »
DHS Joint Task Force authority legislation becomes law
Legislation that would reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Joint Task Forces authority was signed into law this month, officials said. The legislation, authored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (R-MI) would allow DHS to establish joint operations using DHS personnel and resources... Read More »
TSA incepts 5,028 firearms so far this year
During the first nine months of 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted 5,028 firearms at airport security checkpoints, 93 percent of which were loaded. This is an average of 18.3 firearms detected daily. During the first three quarters of 2024, transportation... Read More »
Secret Service holds card skimming and fraud operation in Illinois, Indiana
On Thursday, the U.S. Secret Service joined state and local law enforcement partners in Illinois and Indiana to complete a 2-day payment card skimming and electronic Benefit Transfer fraud operation. The sting save residents an estimated $1.8 million in prevented losses, officials said.... Read More »
U.S. Army orders 48 additional Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles under BAE contract
The U.S. Army recently submitted a $184 million contract modification to BAE Systems, a London-based defense and space manufacturing company, for 48 additional Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles (AMPV). The modification is to an existing full-rate production contract. The AMPV family of... Read More »
Sen. Peters asks DOD Inspector General to add oversight to PFAS remediation efforts in Michigan
On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) asked the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of the Inspector General to add oversight on the department’s efforts to remediate per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Michigan communities. Peters, the chair of the Homeland Security and... Read More »
DHS Science and Technology Directorate awards $789,280 in contracts
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently announced four contract awards, totaling $789,280, for the development of synthetic data capabilities that model and replicate the shape and patterns of real data. “Sharing sensitive data that can be used... Read More »
Alien sexual offenders would be deported under pending federal legislation
The recent introduction of a bipartisan, bicameral bill in Congress would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to classify sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence as aggravated felonies, which are deportable offenses. U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) Oct. 4 cosponsored the Better... Read More »
U.S. DOD awards research grants to nearly 100 HBCUs, minority-serving institutions
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced it had awarded more than $50 million in grants to researchers at nearly 100 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and at minority-serving institutions (MIs). According to the DOD the 98 grants are for up to $800,000 each and... Read More »
Northrop Grumman introduces artificial intelligence system
Virginia-based Northrop Grumman Corp., a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, recently introduced the Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) Advanced Battle Manager (ABM) system, an artificial intelligence (AI) feature to help warfighters make real-time decisions. FAAD is... Read More »
Tribes receive more than $84M to combat public safety challenges
The U.S. Justice Department recently awarded 90 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes more than $84 million in Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) grants. The grants help enhance tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses, fund an array of services for crime... Read More »
Rep. D’Esposito questions FEMA storm modeling after Helene
On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), asked FEMA for answers on how it used advanced forecasting and rainfall modeling to prepare for Hurricane Helene. D’Esposito, chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, sent a letter to the FEMA... Read More »
Justice Department, Microsoft disrupt Russian intelligence cyber scheme
The Justice Department recently unsealed a warrant authorizing the seizure of 41 internet domains used by Russian intelligence agents and their proxies to commit computer fraud and abuse in the United States. “Today’s seizure of 41 internet domains reflects the Justice Department’s cyber... Read More »
GAO: NRC has not taken steps to address radiological security risks
According to a recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has failed to take steps that would strengthen its security requirements for radioactive materials. The GAO noted that only a small amount of radioactive material is required for terrorists... Read More »
National Security Data and Policy Institute launches
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the University of Virginia have partnered to create the National Security Data and Policy Institute. The institute will advance the intelligence community's (IC) use of emerging technologies to collect, analyze, and manage... Read More »
Terrorism threat, both foreign and domestic, remains high DHS report says
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the threat from both foreign and domestic terrorism over the coming year remains high. As part of its 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment report released on Oct. 2, DHS said that a number of factors, including violent extremist responses to domestic... Read More »
DOD awards $43M in research grants to 112 universities
The Department of Defense recently awarded 112 university researchers $43 million in Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) grants. "DURIP awards build vital research infrastructure, advancing the exploration of novel ideas and upholding the cutting-edge capabilities of our... Read More »