Threats
BAE Systems to aid Australia nuclear powered submarines effort
Officials from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have indicated defense, aerospace, and security company BAE Systems will play a key role in helping Australia acquire its first nuclear-powered submarines. The trilateral agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the... Read More »
CDC, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry begin next phase of Assessment of Chemical Exposure related to East Palestine, Ohio train derailment
The fallout and investigation of the events surrounding a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last month continue, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) recently announced preparations are underway for the next... Read More »
President’s 2024 National Nuclear Security Administration Budget seeks $23.8B
For a mix of modernization and strengthening efforts of the agency’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, President Joe Biden submitted his National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) 2024 budget request this week. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), $23.8 billion is being sought... Read More »
Legislation would close loophole in criminal deportation law
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), James Lankford (R-OK), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) reintroduced the Reverse Entry for Migrant Offenders and Violence Expulsion (REMOVE) Act, which closes a loophole presently enabling noncitizens convicted of violent crimes to remain in the United... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee introduces bills targeting Chinese influence
Republicans leading the House Committee on Homeland Security recently introduced several bills to target perceived Chinese influence, funding of Chinese entities, or utilization of Chinese drones. Following a hearing last week titled, Confronting Threats Posed by the Chinese Communist Party to... Read More »
Bipartisan Eliminating Backlogs Act seeks to revamp legal immigration system, target visa backlogs
U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) introduced the Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023 to continue overhauling the U.S. immigration system. The bill seeks to quickly break through growing piles of work visas, granting more flexibility for the use of existing visas... Read More »
Measure bolsters oil, gas pipeline sabotage penalties
Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) recently introduced legislation that seeks to stiffen penalties for those who sabotage oil and gas pipelines, placing human lives and community safety at risk. “Pipelines continue to be the safest way to transport oil and gas across our nation,” Bost said. “But under... Read More »
Annual U.S. Intelligence Community Threat Assessment finds foreign adversaries unlikely origins of Havana Syndrome
In the 2023 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), released last week, the U.S. Intelligence community made Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs) – formerly and more popularly known as the Havana Syndrome – a primary focus, laying out the case that foreign adversaries are not likely behind the... Read More »
Republican legislators eye punishments abroad following FBI, DOE determinations of COVID-19 lab leak origins
Moving quickly in the wake of new determinations about the potential origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) last week introduced legislation to punish foreign countries found to conduct chemical and biological experiments that threaten public health and global security.... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee convenes hearing on risks, opportunities of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gotten a lot of attention recently, particularly in tech circles, but this week the government turned its eye to machine potential as well through a hearing on its possible risks and opportunities by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs... Read More »
TSA details new airport, aircraft operator cybersecurity guidance
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has new cybersecurity requirements for airport and aircraft operators. “Protecting our nation’s transportation system is our highest priority, and TSA will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders across all transportation modes to... Read More »
HHS releases cybersecurity implementation guide for public, private health systems
Hoping to address vulnerabilities in health systems throughout the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new cybersecurity implementation framework this week with specific steps for public and private healthcare organizations to pursue. “Cyber incidents... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Thune, Warner introduce bill to create risk-based process of identifying threats from foreign tech like TikTok
Pushing to crack down on technology from foreign adversaries of the United States, the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act was introduced this week in the Senate. A product of U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Mark... Read More »
Firm secures DHS S&T flood analytics technology award
Brooklyn, New York-based startup Cloud to Street has secured a $195,260 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) award to develop flood analytics technology. Work would aid Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) efforts to enhance preparedness and... Read More »
DHS releases $20M funding opportunity to help local communities prevent targeted violence, terrorism
Through the Fiscal Year 2023 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week that it will fund $20 million for projects to prevent violence and terrorism at the state, local, Tribal and territorial levels. The... Read More »
Re-introduction of ESCAPE Act by Sen. Barrasso seeks to provide allies with American energy, penalize Russian pipelines
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine stretches onward, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) sought a new means of hitting the former through its economy, reintroducing the Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe (ESCAPE) Act (S.548) last week. ESCAPE seeks to pull North Atlantic... Read More »
CBP details Bridge of the Americas LEP project
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are espousing the benefits of initiating Low Energy Portal (LEP) scanning systems at the El Paso, Texas, Bridge of the Americas international crossing. “The LEP system will scan arriving traffic, and the imagery generated will be used by CBP to... Read More »
White House releases National Cybersecurity Strategy to reimagine U.S. approach to digital ecosystem
Pledging to coordinate all tools at its disposal to protect national security, public safety, and the economy, the Biden administration revealed a new National Cybersecurity Strategy this week and proposed a rethink on how the United States tackles the digital sphere and its security. The... Read More »
Measure seeks to enhance tribal law enforcement, address MMIW crisis
U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) recently introduced legislation to bolster tribal law enforcement and increase Indian Country public safety. Specifically, the Bridging Agency Data Gaps & Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act would... Read More »
Raytheon secures missile warning, tracking contract with Space Development Agency
The Space Development Agency has awarded Raytheon Technologies a contract valued at over $250 million to design, develop and deliver missile warning and tracking technology. "Developing a resilient and affordable proliferated satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit will improve our ability to... Read More »
Sens. Tester, Collins urge preventive air space violations action
U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have forwarded correspondence to President Joe Biden, requesting that he take action to prevent future violations of U.S. airspace. The letter stems from the circumstances surrounding a Chinese spy balloon initially publicly reported in... Read More »
Bipartisan House Energy and Commerce Committee effort pushes for info in advance of pandemic legislation reauthorization
With a reauthorization due date of Sept. 30, 2023, for the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), two House Energy and Commerce Committee members sought this week to get ahead of the issue with a request for information from public and private interests. “Throughout COVID-19, our... Read More »House Republicans form Northern Border Security Caucus to advocate greater scrutiny of U.S.-Canadian border
While much attention is paid to the surge of crossings and smuggling at the United States-Mexico border, a coalition of 28 Republicans formed the Northern Border Security Caucus this week to advocate for greater safety at the U.S.-Canada border as well. While the U.S.-Canada border is the... Read More »
Legislation introduced to address cybersecurity needs of farmers, ranchers
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) and August Pfluger (R-TX) recently joined U.S. Reps. John Curtis (R-UT) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) to introduce legislation that would aid farmer and rancher cybersecurity efforts. The Food and Agriculture Industry Cybersecurity Support Act would establish a food and... Read More »
FEMA to award $350M in assistance for noncitizen arrivals through Emergency Food and Shelter Program
In a bid to help local communities manage the costs of noncitizen arrivals in their area, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will award $350 million through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP-H). Allocated under the... Read More »
DHS to provide $2B in grants for eight terrorism prevention, protection and response programs
Through eight preparedness grant programs this year, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will provide more than $2 billion in funding to state, local, Tribal, and territorial officials to prevent, protect against and respond to terrorism. For Fiscal Year 2023, the grants... Read More »
Bipartisan legislators advocate foreign agriculture land acquisition oversight
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials, citing concerns regarding the lack of oversight of foreign acquisition of domestic agricultural land. U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined 29 bipartisan colleagues in sending the letter to... Read More »
DARPA workshops eye trustworthy AI exploration
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials are touting its AI (artificial intelligence) Forward initiative, detailing workshops the agency noted seek to explore new directions for trustworthy AI. DARPA has scheduled two Summer 2023 workshops - a virtual event on June 13-16 and... Read More »
Bicameral Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act introduced to target foreign lobbying loopholes
As introduced by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and five other representatives this week, the new Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act proposes closing a legislative loophole that foreign adversaries could use to influence U.S. policy. Specifically, Miller-Meeks pointed the... Read More »
Bipartisan senators seek insight on visa processing delays
U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chairs of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, recently forwarded correspondence to Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter, seeking insight regarding visa processing delays. Moran and Klobuchar joined U.S. Sens.... Read More »
DHS Biometric Technology Rally shows efficacy of group photo processing
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) published the results of its 2022 Biometric Technology Rally last week, revealing that participants showed high capabilities in group recognition processing and low chances of bystander impact. The Rally’s goal... Read More »
Drug Enforcement Agency, Arizona Attorney General detail success of drug cartel investigation
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is attributing a successful three-year investigation targeting the Sinaloa Drug Cartel to partnerships with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Tempe Police Department. To date, more than 150 individuals have been charged, with investigators having... Read More »
Bill seeks to ensure greater clarity on cybersecurity insurance policy
U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced last week legislation that seeks to provide more concise information for consumers and small businesses regarding cybersecurity insurance policies. The Insure Cybersecurity Act would direct the National... Read More »
Republicans introduce bicameral SHEET Act to target foreign influence at colleges
In a challenge to supposed foreign adversarial influences on college campuses, U.S. Reps. Michelle Steele (R-CA) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY), along with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), introduced a bill last week that would empower removal proceedings against designated agents and increase scrutiny of... Read More »