Threats
FEMA encouraging hurricane season preparedness
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are encouraging Puerto Rico residents to get their families and property prepared for hurricane season. “Getting ready for hurricane season should be a routine to residents in the Caribbean area, since it only takes one weather event to... Read More »
Newly introduced Know Your App Act would require online app stores to display origin details
A reckoning of transparency put online app stores firmly in its sights this week, with the introduction of the Know Your App Act in the Senate. Its backers, which included U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and James Lankford (R-OK), pitched the bill as one meant to better protect... Read More »
CBP details narcotics seizures totaling $7.8M in San Diego
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have commended San Diego Field Office personnel for seizing $7.8 million worth of dangerous drugs in the week leading up to Memorial Day. “Narcotics smuggling continues to be on the rise and our officers will relentlessly continue doing everything... Read More »
House approves legislation addressing permanent scheduling of fentanyl analogues
U.S. Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Morgan Griffith (R-VA) are commending House of Representatives colleagues after approving their legislation addressing the permanent scheduling of fentanyl analogues. The lawmakers noted the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act would permanently... Read More »
DoD awards $18M in grants to 11 university teams for research into socio-political drivers of future conflicts
Last week, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced grants of $18 million for 11 university-based faculty teams researching the underlying social and political concepts that may drive future conflicts worldwide. These 11 teams were chosen from approximately 130 applicants across six... Read More »
Measure targets bolstered natural disaster response training
U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA) have introduced legislation that would help local governments improve natural disaster response through enhanced training. The lawmakers recently detailed the Emergency Management Support Act (H.R. 3626). It ensures local... Read More »
Measure seeks to bolster protections against UAS threats
A group of lawmakers are espousing the benefits of legislation they maintain would bolster efforts countering unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) security threats. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Sen. Gary Peters recently joined U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Kyrsten... Read More »
World needs swift action if it is to ready itself for next pandemic, international security organizations say
A digital report released last week by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) | bio and the Munich Security Conference (MSC) sounded the alarm in advance of the world’s next pandemic, warning that without bold action, catastrophe will likely follow. Simply put: the world is not ready, by their... Read More »
House Homeland Security Republicans urge updates on Chinese threats to information and communications tech
In a letter sent to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly this week, House House Homeland Security subcommittee leaders requested a briefing on any threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to the information and communications technology (ICT)... Read More »
Legislation targets enhanced natural disaster preparedness, response
U.S. Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) are espousing the benefits of newly introduced legislation they maintain would aid natural disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. According to bill proponents, the Preventing Our Next Natural Disaster Act would... Read More »
Northrop Grumman outlines progress of Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar program
Northrop Grumman Corporation officials have noted the aerospace company has completed a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and is on track to begin production on the nation’s early-defense warning missile system. The PDR is in accordance with the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command’s Next... Read More »
Agencies tout updated ransomware reduction resource
Four agencies are espousing the benefits of a newly published updated resource they indicated seeks to help organizations reduce the risk of ransomware incidents through a series of best practices. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigation... Read More »
DHS S&T details RIVTD Track 2 launch
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials have outlined the Remote Identity Validation Technology Demonstration Track 2 launch. DHS S&T indicated in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Homeland Security... Read More »
Proposed update to federal Dignity Act targets illegal immigration, American economy
As a wide-ranging proposal to revise the United States immigration system, U.S. Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) led the introduction of an updated Dignity Act this week, gathering a small bipartisan coalition to break Congressional deadlock on the issue. Salazar... Read More »
TSA outlines summer travel season preparedness
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials have indicated the agency is prepared to screen high volumes of passengers at nationwide airport security checkpoints this summer travel season. “TSA is ready to handle this summer’s anticipated increase in travel,” TSA Administrator... Read More »
New House legislation proposes trust fund to build, expand ports of entry and increase CBP staff
By introducing the Land Port of Entry (LPOE) Modernization Trust Fund Act (H.R.3135) this week, a collection of five congressional lawmakers proposed creating a fund to advance new ports of entry, improve the old and gather both new staff and technology to assist border efforts. Backed by... Read More »
New funding opportunity seeks network for disease forecasting at CDC
Under a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) launched last week, the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA) announced efforts to strengthen outbreak response among decision makers through creation of a disease forecasting network. CFA is a part of the Centers for Disease Control... Read More »
Lawmakers seek insight on suspected southern border terrorists crossing
Three legislators recently forwarded correspondence to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking insight regarding suspected terrorists illegally crossing the southern border. U.S. Reps. Mark E. Green (R-TN), chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, James Comer (R-KY),... Read More »
IARPA details population mobility patterns examination initiative
The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) has launched a research program the agency maintains examines global population mobility patterns while providing alerts when anomalies emerge. Serving as the advanced research and development arm of the Office of the Director of... Read More »
National Association of Attorneys General call on Congress to classify xylazine as controlled substance
Fearing the proliferation of illicit versions of the drug xylazine – or tranq – and its effects on the U.S. public, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) wrote to Congressional leaders last week urging passage of the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act (H.R. 1839). The legislation... Read More »
Counter drug trafficking bill meant to benefit DHS advances out of Senate committee
The Enhancing DHS Drug Seizures Act (S.1464) advanced to the Senate floor last week, after approval from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is chaired its author, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). Together with co-author U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Peters created a... Read More »
Satellite Cybersecurity Act advances in Senate
An effort to increase cybersecurity protections for commercial satellites gained traction in the Senate this week, as the Satellite Cybersecurity Act (S.1425) advanced out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to the full Senate. The bill was introduced by U.S. Sens. Gary... Read More »
Measure eyes bolstered firefighting technology
U.S. Reps. David G. Valadao (R-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Mark Amodei (R-NV), John Curtis (R-UT) and Doug Lamborn (R-CO) recently introduced the Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act, which would bolster firefighting technology initiatives. The... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee advances five bills on cybersecurity, drones and more
The House Homeland Security Committee took up a slew of bills this week, advancing five to the larger House’s consideration on cybersecurity, Chinese drones, approaches to weapons of mass destruction and support for first responders. These bills included the Securing Open Source Software Act... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Durbin tout bill targeting immediate southern border needs
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Dick Durbin have joined eight colleagues to introduce a bill that focuses on addressing immediate southern border needs. The Border Management, Security, and Assistance Act of 2023 would strengthens border security, establish consequences for unlawful entry,... Read More »
AI training program for federal workforce leadership proposed in Senate
A day ahead of testimony by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman before Congress on the concerns and possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI), U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced legislation to create an AI-based training program for federal managers. While Altman would go on to... Read More »
Measure eyes printed circuit board production, bolstered supply chain security
U.S. Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) have reintroduced legislation they maintain would enhance domestic printed circuit board (PCB) production while strengthening supply chain security. Moore and Eshoo recently detailed the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act,... Read More »
Agencies tout school safety reporting programs resource
Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) personnel are espousing the benefits of a new resource to aid school safety reporting programs. The K-12 Bystander Reporting Toolkit supports kindergarten through grade 12... Read More »
China’s role in opioid trafficking under scrutiny in Congressional letter to State Department
In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) urged the Department of State to take steps to hold China accountable for the precursor chemicals used by Mexican drug cartels in the manufacture of synthetic opioids. The pair proposed... Read More »
Anti-money laundering bill targets fentanyl trafficking
U.S. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Andy Barr (R-KY) and Zach Nunn (R-IA) recently introduced the Stop Fentanyl Money Laundering Act, which targets money laundering within the fentanyl trafficking trade. “We cannot allow foreign drug manufacturers, money launderers, and... Read More »
Lawmakers urge implementation of TikTok national security finding
U.S. Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Tim Scott (R-SC) are urging President Joe Biden to implement a national security finding determining TikTok’s operations pose a national security risk to the United States. Officials noted in correspondence to Biden, McHenry, House Financial Services... Read More »
Bipartisan Cyberspace Solarium Commission urges White House nomination to fill National Cyber Director position
Although the position was created in 2021, the co-chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) last week expressed extreme concern about the currently vacant National Cyber Director role, and urged President Joe Biden to nominate someone for the job soon. The Office of the National Cyber... Read More »
House panel advances Beagle Brigade Act
Bipartisan legislators are commending the House Agriculture Committee's advancement of the Beagle Brigade Act (H.R. 1480), which authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Detector Dog Training Center. U.S. Reps. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Dan Kildee... Read More »
Measure seeks to bolster defense-centric small business investment
U.S. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Pat Fallon (R-TX), and Rob Wittman (R-VA) recently reintroduced the Investing in American Defense Technologies Act, which targets defense-centric small business investment. The legislation creates a federal public-private partnership to scale, support and... Read More »