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Senator Ted Budd Introduces SCREEN Act to Prevent Foreign Child Predators from Obtaining U.S. Visas

Senator Ted Budd Introduces SCREEN Act to Prevent Foreign Child Predators from Obtaining U.S. Visas

Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), alongside Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), introduced the Strengthened Checks for Reliable Evaluation of Entrants Nationwide (SCREEN) Act last month. This legislation aims to prevent foreign child predators from obtaining visas to enter the United States. The proposed act would grant the Departments of State and Homeland Security access to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children database. This access would allow these departments to cross-reference visa applications with known information about child predators, thereby enhancing the vetting process for individuals seeking entry into the U.S. Senator Scott emphasized the need for "100% certainty that we aren’t letting child predators come here on work visas." The initiative is part of broader efforts to bolster national security and protect vulnerable populations within the country by tightening immigration controls and leveraging existing databases for more thorough background checks.

Senate Passes John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act to Modernize FAA Regulations

Senate Passes John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act to Modernize FAA Regulations

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed two bipartisan bills aimed at reforming mental health regulations and medication transparency for pilots and air traffic controllers. The primary legislation, the John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act, mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update its mental health rules and allocates up to $15 million annually from 2026 to 2028 for recruiting and training aviation medical examiners, including psychiatrists. The second bill, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act, requires the FAA to publish a clear, annually updated list of approved medications for aviation personnel. These bills were sponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois). The John A. Hauser Act is named after a University of North Dakota aviation student who died by suicide in 2021, whose family has since advocated for changes in aviation mental health policies.

Reps. Carter and Thompson Reintroduce Bill to Establish CISA AI Security Task Force

Reps. Carter and Thompson Reintroduce Bill to Establish CISA AI Security Task Force

Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, have reintroduced the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Securing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force Act. This legislation aims to create a dedicated task force within CISA, a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to address the evolving safety and national security challenges posed by artificial intelligence. The proposed task force would coordinate AI-related directives and activities across various CISA offices and divisions. Its responsibilities would include assessing relevant safety and security initiatives, advising stakeholders on potential cyber risks associated with AI deployment, and identifying workforce gaps within the agency related to AI. The bill mandates that the CISA Director establish this task force within one year of the act's enactment and provide biannual briefings to the House Homeland Security Committe...

The Latest: Vance says he won’t watch the Pentagon’s planned execution livestream

The Latest: Vance says he won’t watch the Pentagon’s planned execution livestream

Vice President JD Vance is casting doubt about whether the Pentagon will livestream the firing-squad execution of the Fort Hood shooter in December

Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper Introduce 'Safer Spaces for All Act' to Enhance Nonprofit Security

Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper Introduce 'Safer Spaces for All Act' to Enhance Nonprofit Security

U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) have introduced the 'Safer Spaces for All Act' in the Senate. This legislation aims to expand and modify the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), enabling at-risk nonprofit organizations, including religious institutions, to better protect their visitors and facilities. A companion bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Don Bacon (R-NE). The proposed changes would allow NSGP funds to be used for hiring permanent onsite security personnel, employing off-duty police officers, and allocating up to 5% of the grant funding for administrative staff to manage the application and funding process. This initiative comes in response to a recent increase in antisemitic, Islamophobic, and other hate-based incidents across the United States, with Senator Bennet emphasizing the nation's responsibility to confront prejudice.

Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Enhance Security for At-Risk Nonprofits

Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Enhance Security for At-Risk Nonprofits

U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper have introduced the Safer Spaces for All Act, legislation aimed at improving the ability of at-risk nonprofit organizations to protect their visitors. This bill seeks to expand the eligible uses of funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The NSGP provides critical resources to organizations such as synagogues, mosques, schools, and community centers, which are facing a heightened risk of attack. The proposed legislation addresses current limitations in the NSGP, specifically that grantees cannot use funds to pay permanent salaried security employees or hire personnel to assist with grant applications. The Safer Spaces for All Act would allow NSGP funds to be used for hiring permanent onsite security personnel, off-duty police officers, and staff to manage the grant application process (capped at 5% of the total grant). This initiative comes in response to a troubling rise in prejudice and animosi...

U.S. Representative Mike Kelly Joins Bipartisan Effort to Extend Federal Stormwater Grants Through 2031

U.S. Representative Mike Kelly Joins Bipartisan Effort to Extend Federal Stormwater Grants Through 2031

U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation aimed at extending federal funding for stormwater innovation, infrastructure, and flood mitigation programs until fiscal year 2031. The proposed legislation, known as the Stormwater Treatment, Optimization, Resilience, and Management with Academic Technological Expertise and Research (STORMWATER) Act, was introduced by Representative Tim Kennedy (D-N.Y.) in August. This act seeks to reauthorize two existing grant programs that support community stormwater management initiatives. Additionally, the bill proposes the establishment of a fifth Stormwater Center of Excellence, specifically focusing on the Great Lakes region. It also allocates $5 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support five such centers nationwide. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes $10 million annually over the same period for competitive Stormwater Control Infrastructure Project grants, which would fund community stormwater infrastructure...

Colorado Senators Introduce Bill to Expand Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program

Colorado Senators Introduce Bill to Expand Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program

U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) are set to introduce the Safer Spaces for All Act. This legislation aims to modify and expand the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), allowing institutions to utilize grant funding for additional security purposes. The bill is a companion to a House bill introduced by Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Don Bacon (R-NE). The proposed changes would enable institutions to use grant funding to pay for full-time security staff, hire off-duty police officers for security, and allocate 5% of the grant funding for administrative staff to manage the application and funding process. Senator Bennet emphasized the importance of such programs in light of a recent surge in antisemitic, Islamophobic, and other hate-based incidents in the United States, stating that the nation has a responsibility to confront prejudice.

Senator Maggie Hassan Advocates for Child Care Accessibility and Affordability in New Hampshire

Senator Maggie Hassan Advocates for Child Care Accessibility and Affordability in New Hampshire

U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) visited KinderCare at Rivier University in Nashua, New Hampshire, to engage with Pre-K students and discuss child care challenges with staff. During her visit, Senator Hassan emphasized the importance of supporting children and families through accessible and affordable child care options. She highlighted the ongoing workforce shortage in the child care sector as a primary factor contributing to the gap between supply and demand. This shortage makes it difficult for parents to enter and remain in the workforce and for businesses to recruit necessary employees. Senator Hassan is actively involved in several bipartisan initiatives aimed at addressing these issues. These efforts include the Child Care Tax Benefit Outreach and Assistance Act, which recently passed the Senate, designed to help businesses utilize existing federal child care tax incentives. She also co-leads the After Hours Child Care Act, which seeks to improve access to child care for parents working non-tradit...

House Passes AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, Mandating Inclusion in New Cars

House Passes AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, Mandating Inclusion in New Cars

The House of Representatives has passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation cosponsored by Congressman Chris Pappas. This act aims to ensure that all new vehicles sold in the United States continue to include AM radio as standard equipment. The legislation mandates that the Department of Transportation will issue a rule requiring automakers to integrate AM radio into their vehicles without additional cost to consumers. This move comes in response to some manufacturers discontinuing AM radio in new models. Over 50 million Americans regularly listen to AM broadcast radio, which is highlighted as a crucial communication tool, especially during emergencies. Its ability to travel long distances and cover broad geographic areas makes it a reliable source of information when other communication networks, such as cellular and internet services, fail.

Rep. Sarah Elfreth Advocates for Increased Mental Health Funding at U.S. Cyber Command Following Suicides

Rep. Sarah Elfreth Advocates for Increased Mental Health Funding at U.S. Cyber Command Following Suicides

Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.) is leading efforts to secure an additional $11 million in funding for mental health support at U.S. Cyber Command. This initiative comes in response to multiple reported suicides within the command earlier this year. Elfreth, alongside a bipartisan group of lawmakers, is urging congressional appropriators to back this request, which was identified as the second-highest priority on Cyber Command’s 'Unfunded Priority List.' The proposed funding aims to provide 'cognitive, psychological, physiological, and spiritual sustainment for high-tempo cyber operations' to combat burnout and force degradation among personnel. The House of Representatives has already approved this request in its fiscal 2027 defense spending bill, though the Senate has yet to act on its draft. Additionally, Elfreth is pushing for a provision in the annual defense policy bill that would mandate the Pentagon to collect data on civilian suicides, mirroring existing practices for uniformed military personnel and th...

Senator Gillibrand Reintroduces Bill to Expand Cancer Screenings for Low-Income Women

Senator Gillibrand Reintroduces Bill to Expand Cancer Screenings for Low-Income Women

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in reintroducing the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act. This legislation aims to broaden access to critical breast and gynecological cancer screenings, particularly for low-income women and women of color. The proposed bill seeks to establish new grant and pilot programs designed to enhance preventive services and cancer screenings at safety net healthcare providers, including organizations like Planned Parenthood. Additionally, the act would support training initiatives for healthcare professionals, focusing on improving the quality of cancer screening, early detection methods, and subsequent follow-up care. Senator Gillibrand emphasized that millions of women in the U.S. currently lack access to these preventative screenings, which are vital for early detection of life-threatening illnesses. The legislation is named in honor of Jeanette Acosta, a women's health advocate and former congressional staffer who passed awa...