Reps. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., reintroduced a bill aiming to boost the country’s internet security while maintaining diplomacy and online freedom. The Cyber Diplomacy Act would appoint a special ambassador to lead cyber diplomacy initiatives with the Department of State, and establish cyber policy built on democratic principles, the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Thursday.

The bill would also task the country’s United Nations ambassador to move forward with international cyberspace policy, and encourage collaboration with foreign governments. Lastly, the bipartisan legislation would direct the Department of State to include internet freedom assessments in annual human rights reports.

“The United States must lead the way in promoting a secure and free Internet and reject China and Russia’s authoritarian attempts to impose state control over the global cyber commons,” McCaul said. “I am proud to sponsor the Cyber Diplomacy Act which elevates the State Department’s role in setting international cyber policy and strengthens our diplomatic tools,” he added.

The first two Boeing KC-46A Pegasus aircraft have been delivered to McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas five years after the installation was selected as the first Main Operating Base, McConnell AFB said Friday.

The base commenced construction of facilities such as an air traffic control tower, a fuselage trainer, technical training dormitories and aircraft maintenance hangars in preparation for the delivery. The projects resulted in jobs for local residents and $267M for Kansas’ economy. Additionally, McConnell AFB personnel worked with Boeing on technical orders for three years in the lead-up to the refueling tanker’s delivery.

Following KC-46A’s landing, the Air Force will conduct familiarization and initial operational assessments for the aircraft. The 931st Air Refueling Wing and 22nd ARW marshalled the aircraft to the Kansas base, which serves as USAF’s main air refueling center.

The Office of Management and Budget has issued a memo to notify federal agencies about the reopening of the government after President Donald Trump signed a continuing resolution that would fund the government through Feb. 15.

“All employees who were on furlough due to the absence of appropriations may now return to work,” according to the Friday memo signed by OMB Acting Director Russell Vought.

Trump announced Friday that a deal was reached to temporarily end the partial government shutdown.

“I will make sure that all employees receive their back pay very quickly, or as soon as possible. It’ll happen fast,” he said in a statement published Friday.

“I am asking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to put this proposal on the floor immediately.”

The president reiterated the need for a border wall to help address illegal immigration, human trafficking, criminal cartels, narco-terrorists and transnational gangs.

Trump also noted that a conference committee of bipartisan congressional leaders will start to assess the requests of homeland security package to come up with a legislative package.
 

A new assessment report shows the Pentagon is advancing missile defense for the U.S., with the military now capable of deterring certain attacks from North Korea or Iran, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

The annual report from Robert Behler, director of operational testing at the Department of Defense, highlights the improved capability of DoD’s $180B network of ground- and sea-based missile interceptors, sensors and communications. Behler said the system can protect the U.S. mainland or troops abroad from “a small number” of intermediate-range and intercontinental ballistic missile threats.

DoD has increased its defense system with 44 ground-based interceptors in Alaska and California and a new set of Army radar, Thaad missile batteries and Aegis-class anti-missile vessels. Boeing manages the system that uses Raytheon-built interceptor missiles that the Missile Defense Agency plans to test in March.

DoD wants to build a more extensive defense system in the future, which might include new space-based interceptors, low-orbit early-warning and missile-tracking satellites, laser-firing drones and F-35s.

Lt. Gen. Brian Beaudreault, the U.S. Marine Corps’ deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations, announced the USMC is requesting $14B for modernization and $13.8B for near-term readiness efforts, USNI News reported Thursday. Each appropriation accounts for 30 percent of the service branch’s total budget for fiscal year 2020.

According to Beaudreault, the $14B modernization funding would help USMC integrate its naval operations through updated platforms such as unmanned systems, M27 weapons, improved night vision goggles, F-35 aircraft, G/ATOR radars and medium-range air defense systems. Other goals include investing in systems designed for an information warfare environment; updating the USMC and U.S. Navy’s amphibious warships; and modernizing surface and aerial connectors to help maneuvering and sustainment functions.

Beaudreault also noted that the $13.8B funding would help readiness efforts such as depot maintenance, parts availability and in-service repairs. He said the Marine Corps is slated to achieve its readiness requirements this year.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released data reflecting a loss of $2.3B in small business revenue due to the government shutdown, NextGov reported Thursday. The shutdown has affected 41,000 small businesses across the country over the shutdown’s first 34 days.

Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the Chamber of Commerce, told reporters that an additional $29B could be lost if the shutdown prolongs.

David Berteau, head of the Professional Services Council, said that over one-third of small businesses do not possess funds to sustain operations amid the shutdown. The shutdown forces small businesses to either cut their workforces or cease operations, he added.