Threats
Sens. Rubio, Hagerty express concerns regarding DHS, State Department determination allowing “terrorist-linked” individuals to enter U.S.
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) have joined eight colleagues in expressing concerns regarding a recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State determination that "terrorist-linked" individuals are no longer barred from entering the United States. The... Read More »
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense receives $5.2M Open Philanthropy grant for bio-preparation work
The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense announced Tuesday that it had received a $5.2 million grant from Open Philanthropy to strengthen efforts to improve preparation for biological incidents, ranging from pandemics and zoonotic diseases to biological terrorism and warfare. The private... Read More »
Moderna finishes FDA application for emergency use authorization of Omicron-specific COVID-19 booster vaccine
Moderna, Inc. announced this week that it has finished its submission to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking emergency use authorization (EUA) for its BA.4/BA.5 Omicron-focused bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine. The candidate, or mRNA-1273.222, would be formulated as a... Read More »
DHS S&T funds earmarked for AI software development
Volt Athletics, Inc., based in Seattle, Wash., has secured a $199,730 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) award to develop its Artificial Intelligence (AI) software system. “DHS recognizes that wellness is a complex issue and is engaging the private... Read More »
BARDA exercises contract option for additional smallpox treatments in early 2023
Amid a monkeypox outbreak that continues to grow internationally, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) exercised an option on an existing contract this week to acquire additional intravenous (IV) doses of the TPOXX smallpox treatment. TPOXX is a U.S. Food and Drug... Read More »
Nonprofit Security Grant Program allocate funds for two faith-based security initiatives
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) recently announced funding for their respective states to aid faith-based and other nonprofit organizations in securing their facilities against terrorist attacks and acts of hate. Portman, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection appoints Roque Caza port director for Calexico
The Calexico Port of Entry gained a new port director this week, with the United States Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) appointment of Roque Caza, previously the director of the CBP Counter Network Division (CND). Calexico is the third busiest of six land border crossings under the... Read More »
Whistleblowers prompt questions over COVID-19 vaccine mislabeling, unauthorized manufacturing
In a letter to leadership at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) revealed nine whistleblowers had disclosed concerns of mislabeling and unauthorized manufacturing of... Read More »
Rep. Maloney introduces legislation seeking gun manufacturer accountability
U.S. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) recently introduced two pieces of legislation to combat gun violence by establishing gun manufacturer accountability. The Firearm Industry Fairness Act would tax firearm manufacturers producing semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines at a rate of 20... Read More »
DHS, national law enforcement organizations host two-day 2022 Intelligence Summit
At the first summit of its kind in 15 years, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and various national law enforcement organizations gathered in Alexandria, Va., Aug. 17-18, 2022, to network and improve information sharing on national and public security. “In the 20 years since 9/11,... Read More »
Couple facing CBP trusted traveler status revocation after failing to declare nearly $100,000 in designer goods
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said a Maryland couple faces CBP trusted traveler status revocation after failing to declare nearly $100,000 in designer brand consumer goods purchased overseas. Both individuals were Global Entry trusted traveler members. Global Entry is the... Read More »
HHS-aided agreement between Bavarian Nordic and Michigan-based GRAM to create first fill and finish line for monkeypox vaccine
Bavarian Nordic reached an agreement last week with pharmaceutical contract manufacturer Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM), making arrangements backed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create the first U.S. fill and finish line for the JYNNEOS vaccine. JYNNEOS... Read More »
TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act signed into law, funding collaborations with mental health experts
With signature from President Joe Biden, the TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act became law last week, authorizing $270 million over five years to continue the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) and to fund a new police training program. The legislation seeks to... Read More »
U.S. Forest Service adds Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft
Textron Aviation has delivered two Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft to the U.S. Forest Service, with the aircraft manufacturing noting the aircraft would perform wildfire mapping missions. “We are honored the U.S. Forest Service has added the King Air 260 to its fleet,” Textron Aviation... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation improving permitting process for national-security manufacturing operations signed into law
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Angus King (I-ME) recently applauded the passage of their legislation (S. 3451) that cuts "bureaucratic red tape" for certain computer-related projects, such as the development of semiconductors, which was signed as Public Law 117-173 on... Read More »
DHS details competitive preparedness grant allocations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has detailed final allocations of $550 million for seven Fiscal Year 2022 competitive preparedness grant programs. “As the threats to the homeland evolve, so too must the grant programs intended to prepare communities for those threats,” DHS... Read More »
GAO: Hospitals face lack of staff, supplies or space to care for patients amid medical surges
During some COVID-19 surges, U.S. hospitals were hampered in terms of staff, supplies, or space to care for patients that exceeded their normal operating capacity, though health care coalitions helped fill some gaps. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a review of eight... Read More »
Group of senators encourage congressional leadership to fund better monkeypox emergency response
With no signs the monkeypox health emergency is set to lessen, a group of 14 U.S. senators wrote to congressional leadership this week in search of additional funding for a public health response in any future legislative package. “Monkeypox is a serious threat to public health, and we need to... Read More »
DHS offers proof-of-concept for vehicular Wildland Urban Interface alert system
The Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS) used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may soon be capable of providing hazard and evacuation alerts directly to vehicles’ infotainment screens. This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology... Read More »
DoD issues first department-wide social media policy
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently released its first department-wide social media policy detailing how DoD military and civilian personnel should use official social media accounts. "It's long overdue," Office of the Secretary of Defense Director of Digital Media Andy Oare said.... Read More »
CBP’s July update shows decreasing encounters on Southwest border
Though border crossing attempts remain high, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported in its July 2022 operational update that encounters at the Southwest border decreased by 4 percent, trending down for two months. In terms of individuals encountered, the figures went up by 1 percent,... Read More »
DARPA, U.S. Geological Survey detail critical mineral competition
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) officials have collaborated to offer a competition to expeditiously aid critical mineral resources assessment initiatives. The AI for Critical Mineral Assessment Competition stems from the nation's dependence on... Read More »
FBI nationwide sex trafficking operation saves 84 minors, 141 adults from exploitation
In coordination with state and local partners this August, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced successfully identified and located 84 minors victimized by sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, as well as 37 children who had been actively missing. Dubbed Operation Cross... Read More »
Roche debuts new T-cell response-charting Elecsys diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2
Roche Diagnostics announced a new test for its line-up this week to offer additional means for decision-making and treatment options surrounding SARS-CoV-2, particularly in at-risk patient groups. The Elecsys IGRA SARS-CoV-2 test focuses on the T-cell response to offer a potentially better... Read More »
FEMA offers more than $3B for two climate resilience grants
Utilizing money from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) put up more than $3 billion in funding last week for two grant programs meant to help communities improve resilience to climate change and extreme weather. “Climate change is... Read More »
Group of lawmakers push Senate leadership to fund monkeypox response in future legislative packages
A collection of 14 U.S. senators wrote to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) last week to request funding for the monkeypox outbreak response be included in any upcoming legislative package. Designated a Public Health Emergency (PHE) earlier... Read More »
Rep. Steil hosts roundtable addressing fight against fentanyl in Wisconsin
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) recently convened a roundtable in Janesville, Wis., to address the fight against fentanyl. The effort focused on Rock County and targeted methods the federal government could aid in keeping Wisconsin communities safe. The session involved leaders from the Rock County... Read More »BARDA exercises procurement option for approximately $26M of SIGA’s IV TPOXX treatments
Responding to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak worldwide, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) last week exercised procurement options for SIGA Technologies, Inc.’s intravenous TPOXX treatments of smallpox. Those treatments, valued at approximately $26 million,... Read More »
Bill targeting HBCU cybersecurity job training enacted
Lawmakers and educators are espousing the benefits of the Cybersecurity Opportunity Act's recent enactment, which officials maintain would bolster cybersecurity job training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson... Read More »
Sen. Portman hosts Cincinnati roundtable on overdoses in Ohio and U.S., new CARA funding efforts
Responding to the ongoing American struggle with opioids in general and fentanyl in particular, United States Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) joined the Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition (HC ARC) and other stakeholders in his state to address the larger issue of addiction and overdose. Last... Read More »
Republican senators requesting information on DEA strategy to fight drug networks, cartels and narcotics smuggling
Writing to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgrim this week, a group of Republican senators requested details on the agency’s moves to crack down on illegal narcotics and their suppliers. Citing the ongoing opioid crisis that, as of Feb. 9, 2022, led to more than... Read More »
House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders request federal briefings on network security over Log4j vulnerability
Through letters dispatched to the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Energy, Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have requested briefings on federal network... Read More »
Bill targets permanent Iran sanctions
U.S. Reps. Tim Scott (R-SC), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) have introduced the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act (SISA), which seeks to make the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 permanent. Through SISA, the sanctions regime serves as the nation's best tool to restrain... Read More »
FDA issues EUA for intradermal injections of JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine
As the monkeypox virus continues to spread and health officials warn that vaccine supply is not meeting demand, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) to intradermal injections of Bavarian Nordic’s JYNNEOS vaccine. The... Read More »