Policy
Tech bills of the week: Boosting export controls; AI-focused workforce development; and more
During Congress’s final week in recess, new legislation and amendments that were proposed run the tech policy gamut.
Judge renews procedures for 702 surveillance program that could soon lapse
The program still requires reauthorization from Congress, and the judge notably took issue with how spy agencies use filtering tools to sift through raw data collected by the program.
Former national security officials urge Congress to renew Section 702 before expiration
The surveillance program lapses April 19 unless renewed by Congress. The Trump administration is asking for a clean, 18-month extension.
Tech bills of the week: Limiting adversaries’ access to US tech; and boosting cyber apprenticeships
This week’s proposals are focused on blocking adversaries from gaining access to critical U.S. technologies and manufacturing capabilities, as well as addressing the nation’s cyber workforce shortage.
Civilian agencies face 10% cuts in Trump’s 2027 budget
Overall spending would increase thanks to a surge at the Pentagon and non-defense cuts were smaller than proposed last year, though dozens of programs and grants still face elimination.
Trump’s FY27 budget proposes boosts and cuts to tech operations
Agencies like CISA, NIST and the IRS would see notable reductions in their budgets for next year, while programs at Energy and the VA would get additional financial support.
President’s budget proposes folding beleaguered DHS intelligence office into headquarters
The plan to restructure the Office of Intelligence and Analysis would require congressional approval and could reshape oversight of domestic intelligence-sharing.
Single-member surveillance watchdog backs 702 powers, raising independence questions
A staff report from the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board praises the value of Section 702 of FISA, though all but one of the board’s members were removed last year.
Trump’s goal to create state-by-state citizenship lists isn’t feasible, experts say
A Tuesday executive order mandating that DHS create state-by-state citizenship lists is Trump’s latest effort to exert some control over state-run elections.
Agency CIOs must supply top-down IT contract information, OMB memo states
The guidance aims to help enforce legal mandates that CIOs have full visibility into their agency’s IT spend.
HHS reverses Biden-era restructuring of its IT and tech operations
The move includes transitioning oversight of the agency’s chief technology officer, chief data officer and chief AI officer back to the Office of the Chief Information Officer.
Tech bills of the week: Child social media safety, Data center moratorium, and more
This week’s new bills aim to regulate multiple aspects of digital safety — such as child social media access, AI bias and environmental harm — while others update larger legislation to support emerging technology.
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Tech bills of the week: Anti-AI moratorium efforts; Supporting small AI businesses; and more
Lawmakers rolled out a number of proposals this week focused on deploying or reviewing uses of AI, including legislation to leverage the tech in the energy grid and democratize the industry landscape.
Tech bills of the week: Improved biological data for research; Section 702 reform; and more
Legislation introduced this week looks to shore up standardization for biological research data, reauthorize and reform FISA Section 702, and offer more transparency into AI’s use in Medicare Advantage plans.
Vought takes aim at GAO in new guidance
This is not the first time the head of the Office of Management and Budget has pushed back against Congress’ watchdog.
Tech bills of the week: quantum computing research; AI workforce development; and more
Lawmakers introduced measures this week to criminalize AI-generated impersonation, modernize NOAA’s weather radio system and create a nationwide network of cloud-enabled laboratories.
Lawmakers raise questions about security of health data shared with AI tools
“I do think there's some consumer safeguards that should be implemented,” Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said about the way AI firms may apply users’ healthcare data.
Tech bills of the week: Updated AI innovation; expanding cybersecurity for SNAP; and more
This week’s legislation addresses cybersecurity measures for EBT cards, pushes universal AI testing standards forward, and strengthens oversight of tech education programming for veterans.
White House ‘war on fraud’ to begin with freezing Medicaid payments to Minnesota
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the move “retribution.”
White House seeks clean extension on controversial spying law
Despite Donald Trump’s previous misgivings, his administration is signaling confidence in the statute with its current stance.
