Search Results for keywords:"national security"

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is planning to modify its Partner-Vetting System, a system used to vet directors, officers, and employees of non-governmental organizations seeking funds from USAID. The system collects personal data to ensure that USAID’s funds do not inadvertently support individuals or entities posing a risk to national security. Changes include removing certain categories of individuals from its coverage and clarifying details in the system’s records. USAID invites the public to submit comments on the proposed changes by February 12, 2021.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has finalized a rule to implement the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, specifically its section 22425. This rule amends the Freight Car Safety Standards to enforce restrictions on new freight cars introduced in the U.S. It prohibits using sensitive technology and components originating from countries of concern or state-owned enterprises, as well as materials that infringe on U.S. intellectual property rights. From January 21, 2025, freight car manufacturers must certify compliance with these standards to operate their vehicles in the United States.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the Department of Commerce has made changes to the Export Administration Regulations by adding eight entities to the Entity List. These include two entities in Burma, two in China, and four in Russia. This action is taken because these entities are involved in activities opposing U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, such as supporting human rights violations and mass surveillance. As a result, a license will now be required for the export, reexport, or in-country transfer of items to these entities, with applications generally presumed to be denied.

An Executive Order issued on March 27, 2025, allows the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to suspend parts of a previous Executive Order for certain VA subdivisions. This change means employees in those subdivisions, who are represented by specific labor organizations, will now be covered by the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute. The Secretary agrees with the President's view that the VA's primary function is related to national security, making it impractical to fully apply certain employment laws within the VA. The suspension is effective starting from its publication date.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has submitted a plan to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for reviewing a proposal to collect information under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This proposal involves the National Language Service Corps, which recruits U.S. citizens willing to volunteer their language skills for national security work in situations where other resources aren't available. The information collection request is for an extension, and it includes forms DD 2932, 2933, and 2934. Comments on this proposal can be submitted until February 10, 2025, via www.reginfo.gov.

In Executive Order 13993, the President outlines changes to immigration enforcement policies in the United States. The order emphasizes the importance of setting priorities that protect national security, address challenges at the southern border, and safeguard public health and safety, while also ensuring fairness and respect for immigrant families and communities. It revokes a previous order, Executive Order 13768, and directs relevant government officials to review and adjust policies to better align with the new administration's values. Additionally, the order clarifies that it does not create legal rights enforceable against the U.S. government.

In this proclamation dated January 19, 2021, President Donald J. Trump announces an adjustment in the import policy for aluminum from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The proclamation follows an investigation by the Secretary of Commerce, who concluded that aluminum imports from certain countries, including the UAE, posed a threat to U.S. national security. After negotiations, the U.S. and the UAE agreed on a quota system to control aluminum imports, allowing for removal of the UAE from a previous 10% tariff. This change is meant to stabilize domestic production and prevent excess imports, while ongoing monitoring will ensure national security interests are maintained.

The Proclamation 10144 issued by President Biden on February 1, 2021, revokes Proclamation 10139, which aimed to adjust the tariffs on aluminum imports from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This decision maintains the existing tariffs from Proclamation 9704 to protect the U.S. aluminum industry, which is crucial for national security. While imports from the UAE had been reduced by 25% due to the tariffs and domestic production increased by 22% prior to the pandemic, the large volume of denied exclusion requests further justified the continuation of tariffs over introducing a new quota system.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a new rule adding 16 entities to the Entity List because they are involved in activities against U.S. national security or foreign policy interests. These entities, mostly located in China and a couple in Singapore, are contributing to the development of advanced computing technology that could be used for military and surveillance purposes. As a result, they are now subject to additional licensing requirements for exporting, reexporting, or transferring items covered by U.S. regulations. This rule is effective from January 16, 2025, and was enacted without a prior proposal due to its relevance to national security.

The Department of Justice's Antitrust Division has announced changes in the membership of the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) under the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993. This notice, filed on January 6, 2025, allows for the extension of limitations on antitrust plaintiffs' recoveries against consortium members. The recent additions include a variety of organizations, from AccelerMED LLC in Minnesota to Zeteo Tech, Inc. in Maryland. The group remains open to new members, and MTEC will continue to update the membership as necessary.