Acquisition
Tech under OneGov remains ‘fully available’ during shutdown — but agencies may lack funds and personnel to access it
Some of the advanced software tools made available to federal agencies as part of the OneGov initiative are available for a limited time with impending expirations.
Artificial Intelligence
VA’s AI suicide prevention tools aren’t meant to replace clinical interventions — advocates want it to stay that way
The AI tools currently being used to identify veterans at high-risk of suicide always include human outreach.
Digital Government
Class action lawsuit alleges data consolidation within USCIS is illegal
Plaintiffs represented by a coalition of advocacy groups have argued that drawing searchable data from other government agencies into a system maintained by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services “far exceed” that system’s scope.
People
Hegseth, Vought actions heighten fears about continued inspector general independence
Lawmakers from both parties and good government groups have argued that recent moves by the Trump administration will chill whistleblowing and watchdog offices.
People
White House: Shutdown layoffs are just days away
So far, just one agency has pursued RIFs while others have largely followed normal shutdown procedures.
Artificial Intelligence
Nonprofit sues 4 agencies for details on AI use in enacting Trump policy
Democracy Forward is suing four federal agencies in a bid to access official documentation regarding if and how AI has been used in the Trump administration’s policy execution.
Cybersecurity
Attorneys scramble to advise clients after lapse of key cyber info-sharing law
Organizations may lean on contract arrangements to facilitate data-sharing channels previously enabled by the now-expired regulation, a former U.S. official said.
Artificial Intelligence
VA AI strategy says early use cases will inform adoption in new EHR
“As AI tools are validated and show worth, they will be incorporated into the EHR and many other information technology platforms through coordination between innovators and the teams managing those systems today,” the department said.
Digital Government
Trump administration knocks out at least 15 oversight websites, saying IGs 'lied to the public'
It's not a shutdown issue: the White House is withholding funds from the umbrella organization for the government's inspectors general.
Digital Government
Government spirals toward shutdown with Trump promising mass layoffs
A last-ditch effort to keep government funded failed Tuesday night. Agencies will begin furloughing staff on Wednesday.
Digital Government
A shutdown will slow tech modernization, experts warn
Even after a shutdown ends, restarting stalled IT work doesn’t happen immediately.
Artificial Intelligence
Senators propose federal approval framework for advanced AI systems going to market
Bipartisan legislation from Sens. Hawley and Blumenthal would create a rigorous safety evaluation program and require advanced AI model developers to participate before being used in interstate or foreign commerce.
Defense
DOD would curtail long-term intelligence work during government shutdown
Routine spying activities conducted by NSA, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and others would continue, but some forward-looking intelligence planning would be halted, a department document shows.
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.
Ideas
Military AI needs guardrails—not to slow it down, but to keep it useful
COMMENTARY | Modifying commercial models isn’t as easy as removing the parts that discourage users from killing people.
Cybersecurity
Shutdown could erode cyber defenses by sidelining critical staff, experts warn
A government shutdown would also occur in parallel with the lapse of a critical cyber information-sharing law that could create legal liabilities for companies who send threat data to feds.
People
Sides remain divided, White House predicts shutdown will occur on eve of funding lapse
Democratic leaders say “large differences” remain after meeting with President Trump.
Artificial Intelligence
White House seeks industry input as it crafts “anti-woke” AI guidelines
Critics have said that the July executive order on “woke” AI could chill free speech, despite the administration’s stated focus on protecting it.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
‘Widespread’ breach let hackers steal employee data from FEMA and CBP
A Citrix vulnerability — suspected to have led to firings of multiple FEMA technology staff — enabled the breach, which let hackers pilfer data from FEMA servers connected to states at the southern border.
Modernization