Digital Government

Teleworking feds are spending 60% of their time working in person, OMB says

In a congressionally mandated report, the Office of Management and Budget rebuffed many common complaints by congressional Republicans about the popular workplace flexibility.

Digital Government

United Nations approves controversial cybercrime treaty

Last week, the United Nations voted to adopt a new cybercrime convention applying to all member states, drawing ire from civil society groups over data privacy risks.

Digital Government

What should agencies consider for their remote work plans?

A new memo from OPM Acting Director Robert Shriver details specific factors agency leaders should consider when designing their remote work strategy for the federal workforce. 

Digital Government

Lawmakers look to extend COVID-19 telehealth med exemption for veterans

A bipartisan House bill would allow VA clinicians to prescribe veterans with controlled medications through the targeted extension of a pandemic-era waiver.

Digital Government

IRS program to assist poor taxpayers rarely picks up the phone

TIGTA investigators were unable to leave a message at 16 local Taxpayer Advocate Service offices because their voicemail boxes were full.

Updated Digital Government

Benefits.gov to shutter in September

The Labor Department’s benefits-focused website dates back to 2002.

Digital Government

Acting Secret Service head suggests that better tech could have thwarted would-be Trump assassin

Ronald Rowe Jr. told a Senate panel that additional cellular bandwidth and the use of counter-drone technology could have averted the attempted assassination of former President Trump.

Digital Government

Senate Democrats push an accessibility refresh

A new bill would revamp the decades old law requiring the government be accessible online, where many agencies are still falling short

Digital Government

Malicious foreign actors exploit US entities to push disinformation, IC warns

Communications and marketing firms can be pulled in as unwitting collaborators, the intelligence officials noted in a Monday call.

Digital Government

The White House thinks better tech could speed up permitting

The White House’s Council on Environmental Quality says in a new, congressionally mandated report that better tech could help the permitting process, but it's unclear whether new efforts are in the offing.

Digital Government

OMB touts 'time tax' reductions for government services

Sam Berger, associate administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, spoke with Nextgov/FCW about progress made and what’s next.

Digital Government

VA pushes vets to Login-dot-gov or ID-dot-me for online access

VA said the change is estimated to affect approximately 3 million veterans, and phases out two legacy identity options currently supported by the agency for online access.

Digital Government

VA unable to collect over $665M in revenue because of tool suspension, OIG says

VA paused its use of a tool that consolidates community care data in February 2023 “after becoming aware of issues with its database code logic and of compromised stored data.”

Digital Government

SSA transitions online accounts to Login-dot-gov for sign in

The agency said the change will affect individuals who created “my Social Security” accounts through its website before September 18, 2021.

Digital Government

As GSA turns 75, one of its leading technologists reflects on the agency's mission

Ann Lewis, director of the Technology Transformation Services, talks implementation, money and more.

Digital Government

Jobless aid programs get a facelift under a bipartisan Senate proposal

The bill responds to asks from the oversight community, in addition to instituting requirements for states administering the funds.

Digital Government

DHS selects 6 digital wallet startups for identity security contracts

The agency aims to facilitate more ways to comply with travel document requirements while safeguarding U.S. citizen privacy.

Digital Government

Lawmakers want VA to report on its use of automation to process benefits claims

The legislative proposal seeks to enhance VA’s adoption of new technologies, including providing lawmakers with “a timeline for modifying and implementing the use of such automation tools” in the benefits claims process.

Digital Government

Supreme Court sides with Biden admin over contact with social media firms

The decision now lifts potential legal burdens on federal agencies’ communications with social media companies about disinformation on their platforms.