Digital Government

Bill Would Ban Federal Contractors From Asking About Criminal History Early in Job Application Process

Legislation would codify delaying when federal hiring officials inquire about candidates’ criminal records, and apply the requirement to contractors as well.

Artificial Intelligence

Hurd: Congress Must Make Sure Artificial Intelligence Maintains Western Values

Lawmakers need to pave the way for AI by encouraging widespread 5G adoption, Rep. Will Hurd said.

Modernization

Can agencies implement evidence-based policymaking without more money?

Evidence-based policymaking has been touted as a management priority, but the White House's 2020 budget requests no funds for the mandate, making early steps difficult for agencies.

Artificial Intelligence

As AI Takes Over Jobs, Women Workers May Have the Most to Lose

Women, especially if they are Hispanic, may be at most financial risk from the automation of jobs says a new report from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.

People

80+ lawmakers push for contractor back pay

As federal employees still wait to receive their retroactive pay raise, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle from both chambers are pushing appropriators to include back pay for federal contractors.

Digital Government

House Lawmakers Join Push for Federal Contractor Back Pay

After a push from senators, 48 House members urged the House Appropriations Committee to include back pay for federal contractors in funding legislation.

Digital Government

DOD Needs To Decide Exactly What the CMO’s Authorities Are

The chief management officer was designed to be a powerful position to reform the Defense Department but has yet to get its footing.

People

DOD slow-walking reorg, watchdog says

The Government Accountability Office found that the Defense Department lacked a proper analysis and transition plan to move certain duties from the CIO to the chief management officer.

Digital Government

Senators spar with Shanahan over $98 billion 'slush fund'

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan clashed with senators over the overseas contingency operations budget request.

Modernization

EIS activity shows signs of picking up

With GSA authorizing the first carrier under its $50 billion Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract to provide service, and with others set to quickly follow, summer could be a busy time for federal telecom contracting.

Emerging Tech

Facial Recognition Bill Would Ban Companies From Sharing Your Face Without Consent

A bipartisan bill introduced this week would strengthen consumer protections around facial recognition technology.

Digital Government

FCW Insider: March 15

The latest news, analysis and other updates from FCW's reporters and editors.

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Digital Government

The Gig Economy is Actually Pretty Tiny

An analysis from the Economic Policy Institute found that workers who sourced jobs through apps like Uber and Lyft comprised just a minuscule fraction of the overall workforce.

Policy

Lawmakers Want to Protect Security Clearances from Politics

A bill introduced in the Senate would prevent federal leaders from revoking clearances as “retaliation for political activities.”

Modernization

Proposed Rule Would Force Health Care Providers to Share Records Electronically

For millions of Americans, accessing their health records is an onerous task. A new rule could change that.

Digital Government

Agencies Can Do Better by Collecting Data with Purpose

There’s a difference between having data and having useful data, federal officials said.

Digital Government

Oversight Dems grill Ross over Census

As a legal battle over the addition of a question on citizenship heads to the Supreme Court, the Commerce Department chief faced questions on Capitol Hill about how and why the question came to be added to the basic 2020 population survey.

Emerging Tech

Silicon Valley Mayor to Feds: ‘Get Out of the Way’ of Innovation

The federal government could do more to promote innovation at the state and local levels by doing less, according to San Jose’s mayor.