Threats
Two health security bills propose investigation of nuclear war health impacts, safe use of gene synthesis
A pair of bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) this week would authorize the federal government to investigate the health impacts of nuclear weapons and promote safe design and mass-production of genetic material through artificial gene synthesis.... Read More »
Reps. Huizenga, McCaul introduce legislation to focus on deterrence in South China Sea
U.S. Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) recently introduced legislation that seeks South China Sea deterrence and strengthening Australian security ties. Huizenga and McCaul recently detailed the AUKUS Submarine Transfer Authorization Act. AUKUS is a trilateral security... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Collins press for centralized point of coordination on Northern Border
Through introduction of the Northern Border Coordination Act, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) seek to create a new center to improve border coordination and security under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other authorities. “The federal government must... Read More »
Sen. Ernst, Rep. Gallagher seek to shrink missile gap with China
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) are advocating the Pentagon devise a plan to shrink the China missile gap and strengthen Indo-Pacific deterrence. The Rings of Fire Act specifically outlines requirements for the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy no later than... Read More »
Bill to ensure mass production of medical countermeasures greenlit by House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee
In a vote from the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, U.S. Rep. Bob Latta’s (R-OH) Helping Evaluate Appropriate Logistical Infrastructure for National Government (HEALING) Response Act (H.R. 3703) was cleared as part of a broader reauthorization legislation. Latta’s bill, as... Read More »
Federal Information Security Modernization Act proposes greater coordination, reform of cybersecurity laws
A group of senators and representatives collectively introduced the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2023 this week in an effort to reform federal cybersecurity laws left largely untouched since 2014, and to increase communication between governmental entities. The Federal... Read More »
Legislative panel advances measures focused on strengthening homeland security
House Committee on Homeland Security officials are espousing the advancement of legislation they maintain focuses on defending the homeland and standing by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement. The panel advanced legislation to reauthorize the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism... Read More »
Rep. Johnson introduces Team Telecom Act
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) this week reintroduced the Team Telecom Act, which would help the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) avert potential telecom manipulation threats. Team Telecom is the informal name for a makeshift interagency working group composed of representatives from the... Read More »
Congressional delegation talks collective cybersecurity in trip to Netherlands, Estonia and United Kingdom
Reaching out to allies overseas, a bipartisan congressional delegation recently headed to the Netherlands, Estonia and United Kingdom to discuss their cybersecurity approaches and ways to improve both information sharing and collective defense. The trip was led by House Homeland Security... Read More »
Bipartisan Disease X Act would push future pandemic response through countermeasures program
While some have started to put the COVID-19 pandemic firmly behind them, other emphasize the lessons learned, and two of those figures this week introduced the Senate Disease X Act of 2023, proposing creation of a federal Disease X Medical Countermeasures program. Meant to ready the nation for... Read More »
TSA releases firearm interception numbers for first half of 2023
During the first half of 2023, which ended June 30, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) noted personnel intercepted 3,251 firearms at airport security checkpoints. “Anyone traveling with a firearm must follow the rules and pack it properly in checked baggage in addition to... Read More »
Senators press Attorney General for answers over alleged Chinese Intelligence outposts on U.S. soil
Through a letter written to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, 10 senators pressed for details of reports alleging that Chinese Intelligence outposts are operating inside the United States. Citing details from conservative news outlets, the lawmakers spoke of grave concerns about Overseas... Read More »
United States completes destruction of obsolete chemical weapons stockpile
Last week the United States destroyed its last declared chemical weapons stockpile, allowing the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to confirm that all such stockpiles worldwide are now verified gone. It was work spanning decades, following on from the ratification of... Read More »
DHS details new family reunification parole processes for South American countries
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have outlined the implementation of new family reunification parole (FRP) processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. “These new processes promote family unity and provide lawful pathways consistent with our laws and our... Read More »
FEMA urges communities to purchase flood insurance heading into hurricane season
All summer long, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will be reaching out to communities across the country encouraging them to get insured before peak hurricane seasons hits, and brings the waves with it. This year’s campaign theme is “Keep Home,” and it encourages residents... Read More »
Major collaborative study shows preparedness made largest difference in COVID-19 pandemic
Nations with the best capacity to prevent, detect and respond to disease threats weathered the COVID-19 pandemic with lower overall mortality rates than less prepared nations, according to a new study from partners at the Brown University School of Public Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security awards $3.15M in research contracts to 20 small businesses for R&D needs
Through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week awarded research contracts amounting to $3.15 million to 20 small businesses, to advance proof of concept research in seven areas. This will advance in phases, with... Read More »
GAO issues recommendations on counterterrorism information sharing
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a series of recommendations to agencies and leadership regarding counterterrorism information sharing enhancements. According to the GAO, it remains unclear if federal programs designed to improve how terrorism-related information is shared... Read More »
Cathinone analogue shipment bound for Washington D.C. halted at Washington Dulles airport
Last month, officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stationed at Washington Dulles International Airport intercepted two boxes destined for Washington, D.C. that turned out to possess about 71 pounds of a cathinone analogue. Cathinone is a substance similar to amphetamines,... Read More »
U.S. Army awards RTX $117.5M contract for 3rd generation targeting sensor systems
Looking to improve its lethality, survivability and situational awareness in harsh situations, the U.S. Army turned to RTX this week with a $117.5 million contract for a next-generation targeting and surveillance system meant to support its Abrams Tanks and other fighting vehicles. "This... Read More »
New DARPA program targets bloodstream infections
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials are touting a new program they maintain addresses bloodstream infections (BSI)-causing fungal and bacterial pathogens. The Synthetic Hemo-technologIEs that Locate & Disinfect (SHIELD) program seeks to develop broad, preventive... Read More »
Senate HELP Committee seeks feedback on proposal to reauthorize public health emergency preparations
Members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a discussion draft of a reauthorization for the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), in search of feedback. PAHPA, first created in 2006, established the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and... Read More »
CBP thwarts narcotics smuggling attempt in California
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have detailed the interception of nearly 900,000 fentanyl pills concealed inside porcelain sinks at the Otay Mesa port of entry’s facility in California. “Narcotics traffickers will try new and innovative ways to smuggle dangerous drugs across... Read More »
Smiths Detection outlines Swiss DOD chemical detector contract
Threat detection and security screening company Smiths Detection is slated to manufacture and deliver up to 1,050 Lightweight Chemical Detectors (LCD) to the Swiss Federal Department of Defense (DOD). The action would aid in replacing the existing fleet of personal chemical... Read More »
Lockheed Martin wins three contracts to mentor smaller defense industrial businesses
As part of the United States Department of Defense’s Mentor-Protégé Program, Lockheed Martin recently won contracts to support three small businesses from the nation’s defense industrial base, and will help them to develop technical and business capabilities. Run by the Missile Defense... Read More »
Northrop Grumman outlines successful EGI-M test flight
Northrop Grumman Corporation has detailed the successful flight test of its advanced airborne navigation solution, Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) / Inertial Navigation System (INS) Modernization - known as EGI-M. “This flight test is a major step forward in developing our next... Read More »
Justice Department creates regional outreach program for missing or murdered indigenous persons
After years of warnings about the growing number of missing or murdered Indigenous people, and a traveling federal commission investigating the issue, the Justice Department this week announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program. The new... Read More »
DHS S&T details flood, wildfire alerting technology testing
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently outlined results of a demonstration testing new flood and wildfire alerting technology. DHS S&T partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert Warning System... Read More »
New international partnership seeks improvements to registry, sharing of medical product regulatory information
A new connection announced between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) will spur development of a common language and registry of medical product regulatory information globally. The... Read More »
Vulnerability Disclosure Program at DoD Cyber Crime Center sees major growth through partnership with George Mason University
Thanks to a partnership with George Mason University (GMU), the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Crime Center Vulnerability Disclosure Program has grown significantly and successfully on the heels of an award-winning pilot. Utilizing the National Security Innovation Network Capstone... Read More »
DARPA touts INGOTS program benefits
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials are espousing the benefits of its Intelligent Generation of Tools for Security (INGOTS) program, which they maintain would bolster cybersecurity efforts. "In an attack paradigm where exploitability depends on the emergent behavior of... Read More »
DEA, FBI and state law enforcement warn of growing threat of fentanyl in Colorado
In a joint statement, Colorado field offices of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), together with state law enforcement, this week warned people to use only prescription medications as the fentanyl poisonings surge. According to the DEA, fentanyl... Read More »
Senate advances bills to close foreign lobbying loophole
Two bills authored by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) won the approval of their colleagues this week, putting it to the House whether efforts will be taken to close lobbying loopholes the pair fear foreign adversaries could exploit. Respectively, the bills include the... Read More »
Rep. Newhouse introduces amendment to prohibit who can purchase American farmland
Through an amendment to the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations bill, adopted last week by a vote of 34-26, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) proposed a requirement for the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit purchase of agricultural land by specific entities. “Increased ownership... Read More »