Digital Government

USDA pushes out funds to modernize key nutrition benefit

The Agriculture Department awarded over $50 million in grants last month for WIC modernization and outreach and is pursuing efforts to change regulations to permit online shopping in federally funded nutrition programs.

Digital Government

Senators Applaud Intelligence Leader’s Commitment to Declassification Reform

The senators are trying to focus more resources on artificial intelligence and access-control technologies for agencies to appropriately categorize documents in the digital age.

Digital Government

Ashton Carter, Innovative DOD Secretary, Dies at 68

As secretary of defense during the Obama administration he pushed policies to modernize how DOD buys technology as well as opening the door to women and transgender people to serve in the military more fully.

Digital Government

Drew Myklegard Named Permanent Deputy Federal CIO

Myklegard had been serving in the role on an acting basis after the departure of Maria Roat at the end of March.

Digital Government

OMB to extend digital records deadlines by 18 months

Federal Chief Records Officer Laurence Brewer said an 18-month extension was being finalized to shift the completion of the governmentwide transition to electronic records to June 2024.

Digital Government

Russia Likely to Experience 'Technological Regress' Due to Sanctions, Experts Predict

A think tank report warned that the resulting sense of vulnerability could lead Russia to “double down” on nuclear capabilities.

Digital Government

Justice Reveals Use of a Double Agent in Complaint Against Chinese Spies

The spies were charged with obstruction of justice during the prosecution of a Chinese telecommunications firm in one of three indictments the department uncovered related to China’s quest for technological superiority and global standing, officials said.

Digital Government

Federal CIO charts path to streamlining government services

Current restrictions prevent agencies from easily sharing data to support public-facing online tools, but that could change.

Digital Government

Mary Davie, Longtime Federal Acquisition Leader, to Exit Government

Davie pioneered acquisition strategies like shared services, category management and others that are now fixtures of the federal buying landscape.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Question How Public Access to Federal Research Will be Achieved 

House Science Committee leaders expressed concern about a lack of detailed guidance in the White House’s August memo that directs federal agencies to make their taxpayer-funded research publicly accessible by the end of 2025.

Digital Government

White House Aims for Bio-Defense ‘Moonshots’ In New Strategy

Biden wants more rapid testing, vaccine production, etc. using breakthrough technologies.

Digital Government

Biden touts launch of student loan forgiveness website

More than 8 million people applied on the beta version of the site over the weekend, officials said.

Digital Government

IRS alerts low-income Americans to claim expiring tax credits

The push comes as Code for America updated its tax tool to simplify the process for claiming the earned income tax credit.

Digital Government

The IG Council is investigating Homeland Security watchdog

The council also pushed back on broader claims that it is “failing” in its mission. 

Digital Government

More than half of people are frustrated by digital government services, survey finds

The report found that 46% of respondents would be more likely to use digital technology to access government services if the technology was easier to use.

Digital Government

VA Extends Delay of EHR Rollout Until June 2023 to Address ‘Outstanding Issues’

The Department of Veterans Affairs said additional time is needed to streamline deployment of its new electronic health record system to “make sure it is functioning optimally for veterans.”

Digital Government

GSA’s Tech Shops Face $30M Deficit After Priority Change Last Year

The Technology Transformation Services dropped its long-standing cost-recovery goal last year in favor of better program delivery.

Digital Government

New National Security Strategy Returns Focus to Rules, Partnerships, and American Leadership

China is a “pacing” threat, Russia just an “acute” one—but international partnerships, the old global order are key to beating both.