Policy

Feds tie counterterrorism grants to election security measures

The new guidance from FEMA would require states to take various steps on elections before receiving funds. Government groups criticized the move as an overreach.

Tech Bills of the Week: Leveraging AI for cancer research; Securing chatbots for underage users; and more

Congress’ latest bills look to apply AI for both public benefit and enhanced federal operations, namely safeguarding AI chatbots, helping the government strengthen pediatric cancer research and securing the U.S.-Mexico border.

Trump empties out election commission leadership just months before midterms

The shake-up raises questions about voting system certification, federal election security coordination, and the commission’s ability to approve key policy decisions.

As DOGE formally sunsets, its public record is still evolving

The temporary organization behind the Department of Government Efficiency sunsets on July 4, but the real closeout question is what, exactly, is ending and what public record is left behind?

Trump says Pulte can declassify ‘whatever’ he wants, sparking fears of exposing intelligence secrets

“If he doesn’t care about blowing up cyber exploits, putting foreign relationships at risk, or getting people killed, he could declassify a lot,” one former official said.

Tech bills of the week: Labeling AI-generated content; AI standards for private sector companies; and more

This week’s proposals include a measure to create a reporting process for dangerous AI systems and legislation to collect data on AI’s impact on the U.S. workforce.

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Top House cyber lawmaker plans to introduce DHS overhaul bill by next year

In an interview, Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., also said she plans to ask officials about how export control measures would affect government agencies’ access to advanced AI models.

Tech bills of the week: Managing biological data; Evaluating quantum computing’s impact on national security; and more

The latest tech legislation looks to create a database that can aid biotechnology development, understand how quantum computing could affect national security and give the U.S. public a share in the biggest AI companies.

A key spying power will sunset on Friday — here’s why

A months-long standoff over privacy and the future of the nation’s top spy office has pushed a cornerstone surveillance law to the brink.

Tech bills of the week: Standardizing DHS communications; Nuclear power for space exploration; and more

New legislation also looks to create guardrails on the Pentagon’s use of AI, understand how the emerging capabilities are affecting the U.S. job market and determine the environmental impact of data centers.

House vote puts Section 702 on brink of historic lapse amid fight over acting spy chief

Trump’s plan to nominate Jay Clayton as permanent top spy may ease Democrats’ concerns, but lawmakers remain at odds over whether Bill Pulte will lead the intelligence community during the transition.

Tech bills of the week: Regulating DOD uses of AI; Protecting the work of digital creators; and more

Legislative measures introduced this week touched on enhancing the tech fluency of the U.S. Foreign Service, offering legal recourse for recipients of illicit images and modernizing VA’s identity proofing and authentication systems.

EPA’s research efforts are swayed by administration priorities, official says

The Environmental Protection Agency’s formerly independent research office was replaced last year by a new unit housed within the agency’s Office of the Administrator.

Tech bills of the week: FY27 NDAA tech and cyber measures; modernizing FAA aircraft repair forms; and more

Although Congress was in recess this week, lawmakers still introduced several bills looking to expand the use of new technologies.

Tech bills of the week: Mitigating risks to critical infrastructure; incentivizing domestic high-tech manufacturing; and more

Tech- and cyber-focused bills rolled out this week include measures to develop a biotech-savvy workforce, support state and local tech modernization efforts and better understand the cyber needs of small businesses.

Export-Import Bank set to consider framework backing US AI exports

The proposal would use federal export financing tools to support sales of American AI systems abroad, as the Trump administration weighs broader debates over advanced chip sales.

Tech bills of the week: Mandatory AI RMF usage; AI for energy generation and storage; and more

New legislative proposals aim to use artificial intelligence to improve energy generation and storage, along with government workflows and women’s health care.