Posts by Patrick Russell, Associate Director, Government Relations, Security Industry Association
Advocacy Starts With You: Highlights From Security Industry Leaders Taking Their Stories to Capitol Hill
With a new congress come new opportunities for engagement. The 2022 midterm elections changed the landscape of Capitol Hill, and work that didn’t get across the finish line in the last Congress has to begin the process over again, so the Security Industry Association (SIA), with support from the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and The…
Keep Reading »Omnibus Funding Package for 2023: What’s Relevant for the Security Industry
Inside the $1.7 trillion funding bill: technology upgrade money, grants funding, dollars for school safety, standards projects, even new headquarters for FBI and DHS In the final weeks of 2022, Congress unveiled, and quickly passed, a $1.7 trillion omnibus package to fund the government through September 2023. The sweeping spending package is comprised of 12…
Keep Reading »Want to Grow Your Government Business? Participate in an “Industry Day”
Industry Days (and Reverse Industry Days) are a great way for those in the security industry to get a better understanding of how government agencies work and learn about their acquisition plans. Usually held before a Request for Proposal (RFP) is released or before any major program changes are initiated, Industry Days allow for agencies…
Keep Reading »Congress Sends NDAA FY23 to Biden’s Desk, Adds Semiconductor Procurement Restrictions
Bill would authorize more than $850 billion for national security programs Congress has advanced the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2023 (FY 2023); included in the legislation is the authorization for more than $850 billion for national security programs. Included in the “must-pass” package are procurement provisions addressing…
Keep Reading »Bill Would Require Federal Prisons to Upgrade to Video Surveillance, Radio and Public Address Systems
Prison Camera Reform Act responds to Justice Department concerns with insufficient camera coverage, inoperable cameras, footage quality, inadequate video retention and system interoperability challenges. Updated Jan. 25, 2023 S. 2899 – The Prison Camera Reform Act of 2021 – which cleared the House floor on Dec. 14, 2022 – was signed by President Joe Biden…
Keep Reading »The 2022 Midterm Elections’ Impact on the Security Industry
How SIA is preparing for the 118th Congress The 2022 midterm elections are over and now attention turns to the 118th Congress. Republicans will have a slim majority in the House next year after netting 9 seats in November, and Democrats will maintain control of the Senate after flipping the Pennsylvania seat, regardless of how…
Keep Reading »2022 Midterms Post-Elections Recap: Who Holds the Power
The 2022 midterm elections are now in the rearview mirror. The Senate race in Georgia between Herschel Walker and Senator Raphael Warnock will be advancing to a run-off on December 6, but the control of the chamber was secured by Democrats after Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s win in Pennsylvania. In the House, Republicans have done…
Keep Reading »Drone-Related Threats Addressed in New Government Stopgap Funding Law and Multiple Active Bills
The U.S. government has narrowly averted a midnight shutdown of most federal agencies with the passage of a short-term spending bill hours before the deadline. The stopgap bill passed in the Senate with a 72-25 vote, passed 230 to 201 out of the House and was then signed by President Joe Biden. The legislation, known…
Keep Reading »DHS Announces New Grants to Bolster Cybersecurity Under Infrastructure Law
Grant applications due by Nov. 15, 2022 Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a joint effort between the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide new cybersecurity grants authorized and funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Cyber risk management is complex for a…
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