Federal
SIA Letter to President and Vice President on Facial Recognition
On March 17, 2021, the Security Industry Association (SIA) provided a letter to the President and Vice President of the United States addressing the importance of biometrics in government and commercial applications – in particular, the use of facial recognition technology. The letter encouraged the administration and Congress to create legislation and policies that would provide a constructive framework for how facial recognition can be used responsibly.
Keep Reading »Multi-Association Letter Supporting CHIPS for America Act Funding
In light of the global chip shortage, SIA joined a coalition of organizations in urging Congress to support President Biden’s $50 billion funding request for the CHIPS for America Act.
Keep Reading »Coalition Letter Urging Investment in IT Modernization of NIST Face Recognition Vendor Tests
SIA joined the Alliance for Digital Innovation, the Internet Association and the U.S. Chamber Technology Engagement Center in expressing strong support for modernizing the IT infrastructure of the laboratories and facilities at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Keep Reading »Coalition Letter to Congress to Extend CARES Act Section 3610
In a Feb. 25, 2021, letter, SIA and other business groups representing contractors urged Congress to extend Section 3610 in the American Rescue Plan.
Keep Reading »Summary of American Rescue Plan COVID-Relief Stimulus
On March 11, President Biden signed his administration’s first major piece of legislation, the American Rescue Plan, which appropriates $1.9 trillion in COVID-19 relief to aid small businesses, public schools, state governments and government contractors impacted by COVID-19. President Biden’s latest stimulus follows his pledge to provide robust relief to the American people and business…
Keep Reading »SIA Supports EAGLES Act School Violence Prevention Bill
On Feb. 23, Congress introduced S. 495, the EAGLES Act of 2021, a safe school initiative with bipartisan support named for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mascot. The EAGLES Act would establish a national program on targeted school violence prevention and provide additional resources to expand research and training on a national scale. The…
Keep Reading »SIA Joins Tech, Business Groups to Encourage Federal Investment in IT Modernization
As Congress and the Biden administration continue to negotiate the final terms of another COVID-19 aid package, SIA partnered with tech and business trade associations led by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) to urge Congress to provide $9 billion for the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF). SIA supported the initial authorization of TMF, which allows…
Keep Reading »What New Buy American Act Rules Could Mean for Security Companies
On Jan. 19, the outgoing Trump administration published a new regulation significantly altering current rules implementing the Buy American Act (BAA) of 1933. Here, the Security Industry Association (SIA) highlights the most substantial changes implemented in the new BAA regulation as they relate to security products: The price preference for domestic (U.S.) end products and…
Keep Reading »Top SIA Government Relations Accomplishments in 2020
While 2020 was a challenging year for our industry, Security Industry Association (SIA) members relied upon innovation and ability to adapt in order to overcome various obstacles presented by COVID-19 and proved resilient in continuing to provide key products and services to help keep people safe and secure. Consistent with SIA’s core mission – to…
Keep Reading »What the New Stimulus Package Means for Businesses
Congress and the Trump administration recently approved another round of federal stimulus to aid small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The measure, H.R. 133, is a $2.3 trillion spending bill that includes $900 billion in COVID-19 relief funds. For small business owners, here is a partial breakdown of the $900 billion relief package: An additional $284…
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