What the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Means for First Responders and National Security

While the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), in July 2025 contains tax and spending policies, it also includes a broader strategy to reassert U.S. leadership in defense, law enforcement innovation, and domestic manufacturing. The OBBB aims to strengthen America’s national security infrastructure by equipping military personnel, border agents, and first responders with the most advanced detection and defense technologies available today. 

Modernizing America’s Defense Against Emerging Threats: What You Need to Know

At the core of its defense strategy, the OBBB aims to modernize and accelerate America’s readiness against chemical, biological, and synthetic drug threats, particularly as fentanyl and other hazardous substances continue to cross U.S. borders. To meet this challenge, agencies combating illicit drugs, hazardous materials, and chemical threats must be equipped with portable, reliable, and rapid chemical analysis tools capable of identifying unknown substances in the field. The ability to make confident, real-time decisions is no longer optional; it is critical to mission success.

The bill also includes a 7% year-over-year increase to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) budget, which includes agencies such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Secret Service, and Coast Guard, among others. Part of this additional increase includes $900 million to secure large-scale events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 908 Devices’ portfolio of chemical detection tools have been used to secure public safety at several large sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, and most recently at the Indianapolis 500 in May. 

A central focus of the policy’s defense strategy is stopping the flow of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids into U.S. communities. The passage of the Halt Fentanyl Act in July reinforces the federal government’s aggressive posture on synthetic opioids by permanently scheduling fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. This legislative action broadens enforcement capabilities and places added emphasis on detection technologies that can stay ahead of rapidly evolving analogues, such as the MX908 handheld mass spec device that can identify over 2,000 fentanyl analogues, giving law enforcement and other first responders unmatched confidence in real time.  

A Path Forward for Border Security and National Defense: Key Takeaways

The OBBB presents a clear opportunity for those in the defense and security sector to scale operations in line with the increased national security priorities. The OBBB does not just expand funding; it underscores a broader transformation in how the U.S. equips its frontline personnel; with a renewed focus on readiness, responsiveness, and results.

For defense contractors, public safety organizations, and technology providers, the OBBB signals a new era of procurement and innovation; encouraging the development and deployment of field-ready, U.S.-built technologies that can be rapidly scaled and integrated into frontline operations, whether at ports of entry, disaster zones, or military checkpoints. 

The alignment between the bill’s objectives and modern chemical detection technology is clear. For federal, state, and local agencies, the time to invest in trusted, field-proven solutions is now. 

908 Devices: Ready to Deliver

As national security priorities evolve, 908 Devices is uniquely positioned to support this new era of defense and emergency response investment. Our suite of handheld chemical detection tools, including the MX908, XplorIR, and VipIR, provide lab-quality identification in seconds, enabling first responders, border agents, and military teams to act quickly and with confidence.

These tools are commercially available, manufactured domestically, and are already trusted by agencies such as CBP, DHS, the U.S. military, and local law enforcement agencies nationwide. Purpose-built for high-stakes missions, they deliver rapid, lab-quality chemical identification that empowers border agents and first responders to quickly detect, identify, and contain threats with precision and confidence.

For those on the frontlines, whether at ports of entry, disaster sites, or military checkpoints, the technologies they rely on are critical. The OBBB marks a pivotal shift, emphasizing that national security is no longer just about preparedness, but about fast, accurate, and reliable response. It underscores the urgent need for trusted, field-ready solutions that empower frontline teams to act with confidence.