Critical Releases in Homeland Security: January 17, 2018

"On March 6, 2017, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 13780, 'Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,' which declared that 'it is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks, including those committed by foreign nationals,' and directed a series of actions to enhance the security of the American people. The actions directed by Executive Order 13780 have--among other things--raised the baseline for the vetting and screening of foreign nationals, improved our ability to prevent the entry of malicious actors, and enhanced t he security of the American people. Most of the critical national security enhancements implemented and effectuated as a result of Executive Order 13780 are classified in nature, and will remain so to prevent malicious actors from exploiting our immigration system. However, to 'be more transparent with the American people and to implement more effectively policies and practices that serve the national interest,' Section 11 of Executive Order 13780 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, to collect and make publicly available the following information..."

"America's infrastructure supports the world's largest economy across a network of nearly 9 million miles of roadway, 160,000 public water systems, 5.5 million miles of local electrical distribution lines, and nearly 90 million fixed broadband subscribers. Unfortunately, due to years of underinvestment and deferred maintenance, America is no longer keeping pace and continues to fall behind other countries. By some estimates, the funding gap may be as high as $2 trillion by 2025 across all sectors of American infrastructure. This report details bipartisan policy solutions that will improve our highways, roads and bridges, transit and railways, ports and airports, water and sewer systems, energy systems and the power grid, and broadband and communications networks. By modernizing existing user fees, incentivizing private innovation and investment through public private partnerships, making smarter investments with limited federal dollars, and increasing accountability to taxpayers, this taskforce believes we can build a 21st Century infrastructure network that will foster a truly 21st Century economy that works for every single American."