Policy
Agency CIOs must supply top-down IT contract information, OMB memo states
The guidance aims to help enforce legal mandates that CIOs have full visibility into their agency’s IT spend.
Digital Government
Trump signs executive order setting rules for mail-in voting and eligibility lists
The president has long disputed the mail-in voting process since his 2020 election run. The order is very likely to face legal challenges.
Acquisition
VHA, Labor Department tap Salesforce for critical modernization efforts
Both efforts center around the company’s agentic technology offerings.
Emerging Tech
Citizen Science Month 2026 is about more than just stargazing
This year’s celebration highlights how Americans can support federal missions not only through NASA research, but also by helping preserve the nation’s historical record.
Cybersecurity
North Korea-linked hackers suspected in Axios open-source hijack, Google analysts say
“The full breadth of this incident is still unclear, but given the popularity of the compromised package, we expect it will have far reaching impacts,” a chief Google analyst said.
Policy
HHS reverses Biden-era restructuring of its IT and tech operations
The move includes transitioning oversight of the agency’s chief technology officer, chief data officer and chief AI officer back to the Office of the Chief Information Officer.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmaker looks to award grants for veteran suicide prevention AI models
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., told Nextgov/FCW that he wants to provide grant funding to figure out which risks “are the ones that we should be paying attention to most closely that contribute to incidents of suicide.”
Modernization
IRS’ move away from paper checks has delayed tax refunds for nearly 1.5 million Americans
Other government agencies are also moving away from paper checks. The Social Security Administration has warned claimants still receiving their benefits via paper checks that their benefits could be disrupted.
People
FCC taps Farhan Khan as CIO
The former FDA digital chief will oversee IT strategy, modernization and security across the commission.
Acquisition
New contract for background investigations raises concerns about scale and risk
COMMENTARY | As the government expands continuous vetting and increases workload demands, questions are emerging about whether the acquisition approach can support the mission without delays or performance issues.
Cybersecurity
DHS drops investigation into former acting CISA chief’s failed polygraph exam
“We are pleased that the CISA personnel punished by previous DHS and CISA leadership for doing their jobs have been cleared of wrongdoing and invited back to work, as we demanded three months ago,” said a joint statement from Democratic Reps. Bennie Thompson and Eric Swalwell.
Acquisition
Judge blocks DOD's ban on Anthropic, calls it First Amendment retaliation
The court finds the Pentagon's supply chain risk designation was punishment for public criticism, not a legitimate security threat.
Policy
Tech bills of the week: Child social media safety, Data center moratorium, and more
This week’s new bills aim to regulate multiple aspects of digital safety — such as child social media access, AI bias and environmental harm — while others update larger legislation to support emerging technology.
Cybersecurity
Pro-Iran hackers claim breach of FBI director’s email
The leaks appear to be authentic, according to a person familiar with the matter.
People
VA’s former EHR lead indicted for concealing contractor gifts
The Department of Justice alleges that John Windom accepted and sometimes demanded various gifts while helming the electronic health record modernization at Veterans Affairs.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers question VPN impact on Americans' FISA surveillance protections
Democrats from both chambers sent a letter questioning the impacts to the Director of National Intelligence as Congress faces a deadline to renew FISA Section 702, which allows warrantless collection of foreigners’ communications overseas.
Digital Government
Trump moves to pay TSA agents as shutdown talks stall in Congress
Emergency order would cover airport screeners who have gone without full pay since mid-February but not other DHS employees, as lawmakers remain deadlocked on funding.
Cybersecurity
EU wants to support bedrock cyber vulnerability program, top official says
U.S. congressional staffers are also working on legislation to give CISA more oversight of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures program after a contracting incident last April.
Artificial Intelligence
ODNI is building a framework to boost spy agencies’ AI adoption
A tech modernization push launched last year also included expanded threat hunting across IC networks, according to an official.
Artificial Intelligence