Digital Government
Work on Security Clearance Backlog Continues Through Shutdown
While OPM is closed, the National Background Investigations Bureau continues to chip away at its 600,000-case backlog.
Acquisition
DOD acquisition reform panel looks to sunset Clinger-Cohen
The final report from the Section 809 Panel charged with defense acquisition reform thinks the era of the central CIO might be coming to a close.
Digital Government
Federal Judge Rules Against Trump Administration's Citizenship Question on Census
State and local governments are among the groups that have objected to the Census asking about citizenship status.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: Jan. 16
The latest news, quick hits and other updates from FCW's reporters and editors.
Modernization
IRS recalls employees to work without pay
With tax filing season colliding with the shutdown, the IRS is bringing back tens of thousands of employees to process returns -- and most IT staffers were already excepted and on the job.
Digital Government
Here’s How the Shutdown Hurts Government Contractors
The shutdown is having a major effect on government contractors and federal employees alike.
Digital Government
Defense Acquisition Reform Panel Suggests Reevaluating Department CIO
The Section 809 Panel’s third report recommends big changes to how the Defense Department buys technology.
Digital Government
FCC Chairman Declines to Brief Congress About Location Data Controversy
Lawmakers wanted to hear from the FCC about the recent hot-button issue of mobile carriers selling location data to third parties.
Digital Government
Judge blocks citizenship question from 2020 census
The administration can appeal the ruling, and an already-pressed testing process for Census Bureau systems must adjust yet again.
Modernization
House Unanimously Passes Bill to Elevate the Federal CIO
But the Federal CIO Authorization Act still has no Senate counterpart.
Digital Government
House passes CIO bill
Legislation would strengthen reporting structure for CIO, CISO, require IT reports and plans.
Digital Government
Open Federal Data is Now the Law of the Land
President Trump signed the OPEN Government Data Act into law, requiring agencies to publish machine-readable data and appoint chief data officers.
Emerging Tech
Anatomy of an Electric Scooter Crash
The rise of the rented e-scooter has also brought safety fears and injury-related lawsuits. What happens when a new mobility mode meets the American legal system?
Digital Government
From TSA Call Outs to FAA Protests, Airports Are Feeling the Shutdown Pressure
Several airports are adjusting their operations to account for fewer security screeners showing up.
Acquisition
Rights groups urge top tech vendors to stop selling facial recognition systems to governments
Warning that facial recognition systems "exacerbate historical and existing bias" that hurts disadvantaged communities, a coalition of 85 civil rights groups asks Amazon, Google and Microsoft to stop selling the tech to governments worldwide.
People
Judge denies injunction in shutdown case
A federal judge denied an injunction in a union lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the practice of requiring some feds to work without pay during a shutdown. An injunction could have required feds currently deemed essential or excepted to be sent home.
Digital Government