FCW Insider: Oct. 24

It would take "a miracle" for Congress to pass all the necessary fiscal year 2020 appropriations by Nov. 21, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said Wednesday. The Senate Appropriations Committee chairman predicted another continuing resolution -- which might run through March -- was the more likely path to averting another shutdown. Adam Mazmanian has the details.

The Air Force Materiel Command's 96th Test Wing is changing the way the service tests weapons systems for cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Lauren C. Williams explains how the Air Force is upgrading its cyber testing.

Should Facebook and other social media companies require ID checks from users? The idea is making the rounds on Capitol Hill, Derek B. Johnson reports, but experts worry about both the effectivness and the privacy implications.

The Federal Aviation Administration's top data officer is pushing for a layered approach to developing U.S. air traffic control IT systems. Mark Rockwell reports on Natesh Manikoth's vision for FAA modernization.

Quick Hits

***On Oct. 22, President Donald Trump re-established by executive order the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, a body of scientists, engineers and other experts to inform policymaking on issues related to technology and science, such as artificial intelligence and data science. Trump announced seven appointees to PCAST, with plans to expand to 16 members.

Kelvin Droegemeier, the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology, will oversee the council as chairman.

***The House Homeland Security Committee reported favorably on legislation that would codify the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation cybersecurity program at the Department of Homeland Security.

"CDM has proven to be an indispensable tool for DHS to leverage in identifying, responding to and preventing cyber-attacks against our federal networks," Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), the bill’s sponsor, said in a statement.

***House Democrats urged their Republican counterparts in an Oct. 23 press conference to join them and support the SHIELD Act, their latest push for new election security measures. The bill would legally require political campaigns to report offers of campaign assistance from foreign governments, increase transparency around foreign political ad buys online, restrict the sharing of campaign information like polling data with foreign governments and outlaw misinformation about voting logistics and procedures.

The bill passed late in the day on a a 227-181 vote.

"We have to decide in this country who is going to determine our elections, this is only the beginning of this," said Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas), who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "We cannot send the message as a country that we are open for business around the world, that anyone can help pick who your member of Congress is, who your Senator is, certainly who your president is. We have got to close this door now."