Threats
Sens. Portman, Peters sponsor bill to research supply chain vulnerabilities
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced last week legislation that would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to research how supply chain vulnerabilities could threaten U.S. homeland security. The Domains Critical to Homeland Security Act will not only... Read More »
Senate Select Committee unanimously advances FY22 funding for Intelligence Community
Next year’s funding for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) cleared the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence last week, following a unanimous vote on the Intelligence Authorization Act. In all, the bill would authorize funding and legal authorities for 2022 while increasing congressional... Read More »
FDA extends emergency authorization for REGEN-COV antibody use for COVID-19 cases
REGEN-COV was confirmed for continued use against COVID-19 cases deemed at high risk for progression to hospitalization or death last week, with the extension of its Emergency Use Authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The therapeutic is a monoclonal antibody... Read More »
CEPI to provide $188,000 in support of Universiti Malaya research into Nipah virus
Faced with a disease that tends to hit suddenly, erratically, and with extremely lethal effects, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced last week that it will provide up to $188,000 to support Universiti Malaya (UM) research into the Nipah virus. UM, based in... Read More »
CARB-X celebrates fifth anniversary, $361M invested into innovative therapeutics
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the founding of Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X), a global non-profit partnership dedicated to funding and supporting the development of new products to counter antibiotic-resistant bacteria. According to... Read More »
Critical infrastructure cyber defense legislation introduced in U.S. Senate
Following a new National Security Memorandum signed by President Joe Biden aimed at strengthening cybersecurity for the nation’s critical infrastructure, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators recently introduced the Defense of United States Infrastructure Act, S. 2491, legislation aimed at... Read More »
Emergent BioSolutions to restart J&J COVID-19 vaccine production
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is permitting Emergent BioSolutions Inc. to resume manufacturing the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Janssen vaccine at its Bayview facility in Baltimore, according to the multinational biopharmaceutical company. “We are proud to be resuming production of... Read More »
Learning the lessons of COVID-19, experts testify resources still inadequate to fight pandemics
State funding for public health departments has dropped by 16 percent since 2010, and these same departments have lost a quarter of their workforce in the last decade. How can the United States adequately prepare for the next pandemic when the public health infrastructure is woefully... Read More »
Opteev debuts plug-in ViraWarn COVID-19 detector to screen indoor airspace
In a first for virus detection, the company Opteev this week launched a plug-in airborne virus detector known as ViraWarn to scan for COVID-19, flu, and other virus particles in the air indoors and then warn those who might be affected. Meant as prevention rather than confirmation of infection,... Read More »
CEPI expands Lassa fever study to four more West African countries
What is already the largest ever Lassa fever assessment study will expand to reach Benin, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, thanks to an additional $10.3 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI). “There have been a number of positive developments in the Lassa... Read More »
Biden administration unveils critical infrastructure protection initiative
Biden administration officials said efforts are underway to bolster critical infrastructure protections in the wake of expanding and continuous cyber threats. President Joe Biden's recent signing of a National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure... Read More »
Sen. Padilla advocates wildfire combating resources
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) is imploring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the solicitation of resources to combat California wildfires. During a recent Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) hearing, Padilla questioned Secretary of Homeland... Read More »
Battelle pursues predictive monitoring technology to identify epidemic security threats
A new, Battelle-developed system known as TechAware Search Continuous Automated Scanning for Technology Transformation (CASTT) proposes to help identify epidemic threats through a mix of text data analysis, behavioral change prediction, and creation of a graph neural network. The project is... Read More »
BARDA partnering with Cepheid to develop two new COVID-19 diagnostics
With the COVID-19 pandemic entering a new phase, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) continues to emphasize testing in addition to the growing number of vaccines, and as such, has entered a new agreement with Cepheid, Inc. to develop two additional... Read More »
Measure targets FFL gun thefts
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) recently reintroduced the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2021, which seeks to address the rising number of smash-and-grab thefts targeted at federally licensed gun dealers venues. The lawmakers cited a Bureau of Alcohol,... Read More »
Resolution urges EU designation of Hezbollah as terrorist organization
U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Kathy Manning (D-NC), and Peter Meijer (R-MI) introduced Monday a resolution designed to encourage the European Union's (EU) full designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. The EU solely includes Hezbollah's military wing - separate... Read More »
DHS S&T launches third virtual segment in whole-of-government R&D showcase
For the launch of the third series of the Virtual Whole-of-Government Research and Development (R&D) Showcase this week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is looking to address upcoming scientific fields changing the world and how it handles... Read More »
University of Washington scientists develop statistical model shows severe undercounting of COVID-19 cases
Recognizing that many data sets are needed to tell the full story of the COVID-19 pandemic and understand if herd immunity can be achieved, two scientists from the University of Washington have created a statistical model of key COVID-19 data to model the disease’s true prevalence in the United... Read More »
DHS to cancel two Laredo border barrier contracts
Aligning with its Plan for Use of Border Barrier Funds, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is terminating two Laredo Sector border barrier contracts. CBP officials said the contracts are unnecessary to address any life, safety,... Read More »
Sen. Ernst secures supply chain, troop priorities in defense bill
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) recently secured a series of major priorities in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Senate’s annual defense bill. Secured provisions include continued development and fielding of protective body armor designed specifically for female troops, improved... Read More »
Congress sees growing bicameral call for $34B to improve global vaccine distribution
In a letter written to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), more than 70 U.S. representatives and senators have called for providing up to $34 billion to speed up COVID-19 vaccine production for global use. “No investment in the fight... Read More »
Vaxzevria demonstrates high efficacy against hospitalization, death from COVID-19 Alpha, Beta and Delta variants
A single dose of Vaxzevria was shown to be 82 percent effective against cases of severe disease, hospitalization, or death caused by Beta/Gamma variant of SARS-CoV-2, according to pre-print data from the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN). Vaxzevria is another two-dose vaccine.... Read More »
Bipartisan senators introduce legislation to secure critical infrastructure networks against cyberattacks
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced legislation Thursday designed to safeguard America’s critical infrastructure networks against cybersecurity threats. The bill would require the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security... Read More »
Final report released on Defense Critical Supply Chain
The Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force recently released final report findings and recommendations regarding threats and vulnerabilities. “Throughout the pandemic, U.S. adversaries like China weaponized supply chain vulnerabilities in a way that threatened Americans’ health and... Read More »
Democratic legislators seeks reduced nuclear weapons national security strategy
A group of lawmakers recently urged the Biden administration to consider fulfilling a pledge to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in the nation's national security strategy. U.S. Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA) and U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR)... Read More »
Small businesses earn $2M in funding from DHS for handheld passenger screening technology
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently awarded $2 million to two small businesses to develop advanced, affordable, and handheld detection imaging technology to screen passengers. Those chosen included Spectral Labs Inc., of San Diego, Calif., and TeraMetrix LLC, of Ann Arbor,... Read More »
Biden administration pledges more than $1.6B for COVID-19 testing, mitigation in high-risk communities
Drawing on funds from the American Rescue Plan, the Biden administration announced last week that its Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will invest more than $1.6 billion into testing and mitigation efforts focused on the communities most vulnerable to COVID-19. “As we continue... Read More »
House advances bill seeking to protect local transportation systems
Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) to improve security at U.S. railways and mass transit systems advanced the U.S. House, the congresswoman announced Tuesday. The Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act (H. R. 1870) would put more federal... Read More »
House committee advances eight cybersecurity bills
The U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced eight bills, which would promote more secure networks and supply chains while securing a wireless future. The Secure Equipment Act of 2021 would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt rules... Read More »
Rep. Meng secures $30M to expand provisions of COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act
Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) announced Tuesday that she has secured $30 million for the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill as a means of expanding COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act provisions. The key spending bill is slated for the House of Representatives in anticipation of passage later this... Read More »
Senate cyber bill would require immediate reporting of cyber intrusions
U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced Wednesday the Cyber Incident Notification Act of 2021, which seeks to make it mandatory for federal agencies, government contractors, and critical infrastructure to report cyber intrusions to the Cybersecurity... Read More »
CEPI collaborates with Shanghai Zerun Biotech to advance tests, scale-up of new COVID-19 vaccine
Continuing to flesh out medical countermeasure options for the ongoing threat of COVID-19, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced this week that it will provide $13.1 million to Shanghai Zerun Biotechnology Co., Ltd. for clinical trials and scale-up support of vaccine... Read More »
Bill to combat human trafficking advances House
U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) announced Tuesday his bill to combat human trafficking passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support. The DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act would bolster the existing efforts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to combat human... Read More »
Bill seeks to protect law enforcement, first responders from lethal substances
U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and David Trone (D-MD) recently introduced a bill that seeks to protect law enforcement personnel and other first responders from lethal substances such as fentanyl. The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act would improve state and local government... Read More »