Digital Government

House passes 'red tape' bill

A bill would bar agencies from all significant regulatory action until unemployment falls below 6 percent. But no one can say how long that will take.

Digital Government

Legislator hopes for productive lame-duck session

After the upcoming election, when the citizenry has chosen its new leaders, current lawmakers may finally inch toward compromise on key issues, says Virginia Congressman.

Modernization

GSA looks to a future of everything as a service

GSA is interested in moving everything it can to a service model.

Digital Government

Should we patent our DNA? A lesson from the history of radio

With a contentious case over patenting human DNA sequences back in court, we look to the history of radio for a creative approach to domain over the building blocks of people.

Emerging Tech

Video: If there were life on Mars, curiosity wouldn't find it

In a video from NASA, scientists describe what the rover will be looking for when it arrives on the red planet.

Modernization

Secret Service seeks commercial portal to access law enforcement networks

Agencies throughout government are shifting away from custom systems.

Acquisition

Networx: A gauge of its flexibility

After aiding in an agency transition to Networx, consultant Cedric Sims takes stock of the contract's progress so far.

Acquisition

Contract considerations to include treatment of other companies

The Obama administration wants procurement officials to consider how companies treat their business partners as a factor in making contract decisions.

Emerging Tech

Congressman Darrell Issa's call to the Internet's right side

The House member makes the case that a conservative approach is the best hope for keeping the Internet open.

People

GAO can't solve the 'who's cheaper' debate

So who makes more, feds or private-sector workers? What's the better deal, contracting work or using federal employees? GAO says it doesn't know either. Why are these questions so challenging?

Cybersecurity

Senators using crime stories to push cybersecurity bill

Lawmakers latch onto the worst-case scenarios to try to sell legislation.

Cybersecurity

‘AC/DC virus’ attacks Iranian nuke plant; DHS issues alert to U.S. industry

Cyberattack triggers the 1990 hit ‘Thunderstruck’ as it cripples computers.

Digital Government

Romney promises VA revamp

The presumptive Republican nominee for president has made reform of the Department of Veterans Affairs part of his campaign.

People

Why simple language is a complex challenge

Even with a law to inspire it, getting agencies to write in plain language is tough, says Annetta Cheek of the Center for Plain Language.

Digital Government

DHS taps big data to ferret out phony schools peddling student visas

Bogus institutions sell immigration papers under the guise of collecting tuition and fees.

Digital Government

Report: Russia stopped Syria from gassing rebels

Bashar al-Assad's regime came close to using chemical weapons two weeks ago.