Threats
Senators seek to extend CFATS program and its security for chemical facilities
The Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act was introduced in the Senate last week as a proposal to extend the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program beyond its impending July expiration. Introduced by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Shelley... Read More »
DEA details alleged Controlled Substances Act violation resolution
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has indicated Keene, New Hampshire-based Cheshire Medical Center (CMC) will pay $2 million to resolve an alleged Controlled Substances Act (CSA) violation. “Cheshire Medical Center’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the Controlled Substance Act... Read More »
TSA touts CAT, CT technology implementation
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials are espousing the benefits of implementing credential authentication technology (CAT) and computed tomography (CT) scanners at two airports. TSA indicated it has installed a new credential authentication technology (CAT) unit and a 3-D... Read More »
Measure seeks wildfire technologies expansion access
U.S. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Jason Crow (D-CO) have introduced a bill eyeing expanded wildfire technologies access. The Wildfire Tech Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization (DEMO) Act (HR 4235) would enable private entities to partner with federal land management agencies... Read More »
Bipartisan bill would direct U.S. military to identify ways of reducing mineral dependence on foreign adversaries
Concerned about the U.S. need for critical minerals and the domination of those minerals by adversarial nations, three U.S. senators have introduced a bipartisan bill that would direct the Department of Defense (DoD) to find ways to reduce its foreign mineral dependence. Currently, China... Read More »
DHS follows up on successes with next phase of fentanyl surge campaign: Operations Artemis and Rolling Wave
As the next phase of its campaign to target and block illicit fentanyl from entering the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week announced two new operations, Artemis and Rolling Wave. These operations will dispatch multi-disciplined, interagency jump teams to... Read More »
Smiths Detection secures computed tomography systems agreement with TSA
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded threat detection and screening technology firm Smiths Detection a contract for full-size checkpoint computed tomography (CT) systems and related services. Smiths Detection President Inder Reddy said 2.9 million passengers fly in and... Read More »
Stop Pills that Kill Act targets counterfeit pill production with new penalties
With reintroduction of the federal Stop Pills that Kill Act this week, U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Lou Correa (D-CA), Ken Buck (R-CO) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ) seek to institute new penalties for counterfeit pill production. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), a single kilogram of... Read More »
Bill seeks to implement amateur radio private land use restrictions
U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Joe Courtney (D-CT) have reintroduced legislation they maintain seeks to govern private land use restrictions on amateur radio. The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act (H.R. 4006) addresses present federal law providing for the installation of TV... Read More »
U.S. DOT proposes new rule to improve freight rail safety through real-time hazmat info
New requirements could be coming to railroads’ provision of hazardous materials information to responders during hazmat incidents, based on a new rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). If adopted, the proposal... Read More »
Newly introduced Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act proposes tax exemptions for natural disaster preparations
A bipartisan, bicameral collection of federal lawmakers introduced the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Party Act this week, proposing that homeowners be exempt from federal taxes on rebates received for hardening their homes against natural disasters. Such rebates are not a national given, but some... Read More »
Senate advances ports of entry vehicle screening measure
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) are commending Senate colleagues for advancing their bill bolstering efforts to screen vehicles and cargo entering the United States. The Non-Intrusive Inspection Expansion Act would require Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to use... Read More »
Department of Defense signs $45.5M with Arconic Corporation to increase missile, munitions production
Through a new, $45.5 million agreement with Arconic Corporation, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced this week that it seeks to increase production of High Purity Aluminum (HPA) domestically, so as to strengthen production of missiles and munitions in the United States. This... Read More »
Three bipartisan cybersecurity bills advance out of Senate Homeland Security Committee
Three cybersecurity-focused bills authored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) advanced to the full Senate from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this week, proposing new possibilities for outreach, rural hospitals and partnerships abroad. The DHS International Cyber Partner... Read More »
Reintroduced legislation addresses multiple long gun sales
U.S. Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Brad Schneider (D-IL) have joined 13 colleagues to reintroduce a bill that addresses sales of two or more long guns. The Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting Modernization Act requires all federal firearms licensees to report the sale of two or more long guns... Read More »
Justice Department details classified national defense information indictment
The U.S. Department of Justice has outlined charging documents regarding an indictment alleging classified national defense information retaining and transmitting through a social media platform. Jack Douglas Teixeira, 21, of North Dighton, Mass., a member of the U.S. Air National Guard (USANG)... Read More »
Bipartisan bill seeks investigation, plans for pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerabilities
In introducing the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Risk Assessment Act last week, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) proposed an assessment of pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerabilities and toeing plans to reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing. The issue is a long-running one,... Read More »
DHS S&T awards nearly $200,000 to AI startup for object tracking algorithm
As a means of tracking objects from the time they enter a location to when they exit, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently awarded $199,500 to a startup called Analytical AI for a new AI algorithm. Under the Security Soft Targets... Read More »
Senate advances simplified disaster assistance process
U.S. Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently commended Senate approval of legislation that would simplify the disaster assistance process. The Disaster Assistance Deadlines Alignment Act would establish one application deadline for two Federal Emergency... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee advances bill to improve DHS approaches to countering WMDs, health threats
The Offices of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction and Health Security Act, authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX), advanced out of committee this week, clearing the first hurdle to reauthorizing and jumpstarting new efforts at the Department of Homeland... Read More »
Legislation seeks Chinese drone prohibition
A group of lawmakers have introduced legislation designed to prevent the federal, state and local governments from using taxpayer dollars to purchase drones manufactured in nations that include China. U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Lance Gooden (R-TX) and Max Miller... Read More »
Bill examines Iranian uranium production, possession
U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are espousing the benefits of legislation they have introduced to monitor highly enriched Iranian uranium production and possession. The Iranian Enrichment Monitoring Act of 2023 would require the Director of... Read More »
DoD, Indiana National Guard successfully conclude first joint Technology Readiness Experimentation
This week at Camp Atterbury, Ind., the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Indiana National Guard successfully deployed six technologies as part of a Technology Readiness Experimentation event. This event was the first of... Read More »
Measure offers agriculture disease outbreak export protections
U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) recently introduced legislation that would enable animal products from unaffected areas to continue to be safely exported in the event of an animal disease outbreak. The Safe American Food Exports (SAFE) Act would structure the United... Read More »
House committee leaders question CISA over chemical facility security, CFATS program
With the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program approaching its sunset date, House committee leaders reached out to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly this week seeking information on its status and potential renewal. Barring further... Read More »
DARPA initiative targets battlefield-ready anesthetics
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched an initiative that targets safe, battlefield-ready anesthetics. The Anesthetics for Battlefield Care (ABC) program is a fundamental research effort seeking the production of anesthetics reducing trauma associated with injury... Read More »
Reintroduced legislation seeks stiffer penalties for criminals who steal from federally licensed gun dealers
Through new legislation led by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a total of 23 Republican senators are pushing to inflict greater penalties on those who steal firearms from federally licensed gun dealers and dissuade others from trying. The Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act has been... Read More »
TSA opens Nevada training academy
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently opened the TSA Academy West in Las Vegas, Nev., with a ribbon cutting event attended by TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “The TSA Academy West expands our ability to train our new officers in an airport environment and provides them... Read More »
DHS details Faith-Based Security Advisory Council session
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel detailed a recent Faith-Based Security Advisory Council (FBSAC) session focused on efforts to support faith communities nationwide regarding security and preparedness. During the meeting, DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Deputy... Read More »
Reps. Moore, Kuster reintroduce resolution backing J-1 visas through BridgeUSA
In support of the American tourism industry, cultural diversity and workforce needs, U.S. Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Annie Kuster (D-NH) reintroduced a resolution expressing support for BridgeUSA programs. As a resolution, it’s a nonbinding effort, but rather, is meant to express... Read More »
Sen. Rubio asks federal agencies to bar members of Extinction Rebellion from U.S. soil
European climate activists earned the ire of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) this week over reported plans to bring their protests of fossil fuels across the ocean. In a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro... Read More »
Measure seeks to bolster enhanced wildland firefighter recruitment
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) joined 10 colleagues in forwarding correspondence to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs regarding wildland firefighter recruitment and retention. "We urge the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Lankford introduce legislation to improve cybersecurity partnerships between U.S., international partners
With the introduction of the DHS International Cyber Partner Act this week, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Lankford (R-OK) sought to boost cybersecurity assistance partnerships between the United States and its partners and allies abroad. “Cyber-attacks against networks around the... Read More »
GAO issues DOD missile defense system oversight recommendations
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) a pair of recommendations to improve missile system sustainment and readiness oversight. The GAO noted the DOD's Missile Defense Agency (MDA) develops systems to detect attacks and track, intercept and... Read More »