Digital Government
A shutdown will slow tech modernization, experts warn
Even after a shutdown ends, restarting stalled IT work doesn’t happen immediately.
Digital Government
The government shutdown playbook: cash flow, communication and recovery
The Professional Services Council is urging companies to secure their cash flow and identify agency contacts as they get ready for an all too familiar funding crisis.
Digital Government
Democratic report: DOGE is risking Americans’ data by operating outside federal law
A report released by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said a lack of restrictions on DOGE employees’ collection of sensitive data can result “in serious cybersecurity vulnerabilities, privacy violations, and risk of corruption.”
Digital Government
IRS announces the phased end of paper check refunds
The Trump White House set a Sept. 30 deadline for the Treasury Department to stop cutting paper checks, although the IRS said it will still be issuing a “limited number” of checks where there is no alternative option.
Digital Government
Senate Finance Chair wants details from SSA following whistleblower allegations of data endangerment
Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, says he has reviewed information from SSA’s former chief data officer alleging that DOGE put sensitive agency information at risk. Now he wants information from the agency itself.
Digital Government
US needs an agency to call ‘balls and strikes’ on digital IDs, lawmaker says
Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., said Congress needs to create a federal body capable of auditing identity verification technologies to lay the groundwork for a broad embrace of digital IDs.
Digital Government
Labor seeks to require confidential unemployment data from states
The Labor Department is considering creating a single, national claims database for unemployment compensation information.
Digital Government
Trump signs order calling for improved government design
The new “America by Design” effort includes a recruiting push for relevant talent — though the administration has shed many government designers since Trump took office.
Digital Government
Login.gov to add passports as identity proofing option
Trump appointees have called the in-house service a priority for anti-fraud efforts.
Digital Government
Veterans Experience Office codified under new law
The office was created in 2015 to gather feedback from veterans and their families that would help VA improve its services, although it was never formally established within the department.
Digital Government
On Social Security’s 90th birthday, the Trump administration continues to tout faulty stats
At a White House ceremony, the president and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano repeatedly recited already debunked myths about the Social Security Administration’s customer service and benefits fraud.
Digital Government
Veterans Affairs reduces claims backlog at record rate
The Veterans Affairs Department processed more disability compensation and pension claims in fiscal 2025 than any other previous year.
Digital Government
SSA said it removed strict ID requirements on its phone line, but internal policy says otherwise
The agency said in a recent regulatory filing that the identification pin had been made optional for those wishing to change direct deposit information over the phone. Internal policy says they’re still required.
Digital Government
In partisan letter, Bisignano shifts blame on 1-800 call times, cites dated stats
Current and former Social Security officials said the commissioner at various points blamed his predecessor for problems that did not exist and took credit for Biden-era improvements.
Digital Government
Trump is outpacing his first term in deleting environmental information
The restriction of language and removal of information makes it harder to address climate issues, say the authors of a new report on environmental information under Trump 2.0.
Digital Government
All remaining DOGE staff are in political positions, despite concerns of ‘burrowing in’
No DOGE personnel have converted to permanent, career roles.
Digital Government
NIST releases final digital identity guidelines after years of drafts
The new guidelines remove mentions of equity that NIST had included in previous draft updates.
Digital Government
White House launches digital health initiative backed by leading tech firms
President Trump said the effort to create a more robust digital health ecosystem will give providers and patients more streamlined access to health information.
Digital Government
SSA to make planned ID checks for additional phone transactions ‘entirely optional’
In regulatory filings made earlier this month, SSA had estimated that the planned requirements would result in over three million field office visits.
Digital Government