Policy
Tech bills of the week: Codifying NAIRR; Protecting government employees’ data; and more
The tech bills introduced during the last week of April covered issues like codifying the Creating Resources for Every American to Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act, requiring reporting for AI use in FISA operations and improving AI literacy at the K-12 level.
Cybersecurity
Operational technology providers are feeling ‘annoyance’ at exclusion from Anthropic’s Mythos rollout, sources say
That disconnect highlights challenges in building an industrywide push to patch cyber vulnerabilities.
Modernization
Growing agency talent is critical for modernization, Transportation’s IT head says
“When there is support and excitement, then you can do magic,” Pavan Pidugu, the Transportation Department’s chief digital and information officer, said about engaging personnel across the agency to drive meaningful IT modernization.
Exclusive
People
IBM security executive emerges as possible contender to lead CISA
Tom Parker doesn’t have prior government experience, characteristics the Trump administration may be seeking in its next pick to lead the cyber agency, a person familiar said.
People
The 2026 Federal 100
Meet the outstanding individuals being honored for their exceptional contributions to federal IT.
People
US imposes AI skills requirement on CyberCorps pipeline
New guidance requires programs to ensure that incoming scholars will be able to demonstrate skills at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, a move that fast-tracks changes outlined in recent National Science Foundation policy.
Artificial Intelligence
Pentagon makes agreements with 8 companies to add AI to classified networks
Advanced AI capabilities from NVIDIA, OpenAI, SpaceX, Reflection, AWS, Microsoft, Oracle and Google will be made available at Impact Level 6 and 7.
People
2026 Industry Eagle Award: Meagan Metzger
Metzger saw barriers in government contracting as problems she could find a path to solve.
People
2026 Government Eagle Award: Jeffrey Koses
Koses landed at GSA initially buying furniture for the federal government and found the agency's mission "fascinating."
Policy
House passes 45-day FISA extension after senators secure declassification deal
The bill to extend Section 702 of FISA now goes to President Donald Trump’s desk. A deal worked out with lawmakers on the Senate Intelligence Committee could shed more light on the surveillance power in the coming weeks.
Modernization
After reductions, VA chief says facilities can 'hire where they need and what they need'
Those facilities must still operate within overall staffing constraints, however.
Ideas
Why recovery speed matters when the homeland is the cyber battlefield
COMMENTARY | The cyber battlefield will continue to be the homeland, and defense agencies must continue adapting how they ensure mission continuity within it.
Policy
FCC proposes blocking high-risk firms from automatic telecom market approvals
The initiative would bar providers on the agency’s “Covered List” from more fluid operating approval in the U.S., aiming to close a longstanding regulatory gap.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI makes frontier model available to critical cyber defenders
The announcement of GPT-5.5-Cyber follows Anthropic’s debut of its own Mythos AI, which the company said has already uncovered thousands of cyber vulnerabilities.
Policy
House passes 3-year FISA 702 extension
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it could face obstacles in clearing reauthorization because of a measure that bars the Federal Reserve from issuing digital currency.
Digital Government
House votes to make IRS publish call metrics online
The bill would require the tax agency to release detailed, real time and monthly call metrics. The House also passed a technology proposal meant to move the IRS off paper.
Artificial Intelligence
House panels probe Airbnb, Anysphere over use of Chinese AI models
GOP lawmakers are seeking details on companies’ reliance on Chinese-developed systems, citing risks tied to data security, censorship and alleged AI distillation campaigns.
Digital Government
Congress tries again on national preemptive data privacy law
House Republican leaders unveiled two new bills last week in the latest federal attempt to regulate data privacy, preempting states’ existing laws.
Artificial Intelligence
White House is drafting plans to permit federal Anthropic use
The move suggests the Trump administration is easing its stance on the AI company, which faced a Pentagon supply chain risk designation and phaseout directive.
Artificial Intelligence