Modernization
White House Makes Subtle But Significant Changes In Final Cloud Smart Policy
The final version puts added emphasis on app rationalization, a new role for FedRAMP and finding cloud champions.
Artificial Intelligence
White House Updates National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
The updated National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan adds an additional priority to the seven outlined in the plan from the Obama administration.
Cybersecurity
Bill Advances to Create Vulnerability Disclosure for Federal Internet of Things
Once established, federal agencies would have to make sure vendors were participating and in compliance before purchasing IoT-capable devices.
Digital Government
OPM Leader Threatens Furloughs, RIFs if Congress Doesn’t Approve GSA Merger
The administration has given lawmakers until the end of June to greenlight the merger, or else roughly 150 OPM employees could lose their jobs this fall.
Policy
House Appropriations Package Now Includes Contractor Back Pay
There is still a chance federal contractors unpaid during the 35-day shutdown could get back pay.
Ideas
To Fight Online Disinformation, Reinvigorate Media Policy
Disinformation, toxic speech, and polarization online are a result opaque digital information systems. The fix? We can start by updating the approach of media policy for the new environment.
Emerging Tech
House Oversight Votes to Secure Connected Devices in Government
The committee approved legislation that would enforce basic security standards for the numerous internet-connected devices used at federal agencies.
Digital Government
Federal Agencies Rank Dead Last in Forrester Customer Experience Index
Once again, only the National Park Service scored on par with the industry average.
Modernization
Congress Questions Leadership of VA Health Record Overhaul
Veterans Affairs officials said their upgraded health record platform will start rolling out in March, but lawmakers worry they might be jumping in too soon.
Digital Government
House Panel Approves 3.1% Pay Raise for Feds in 2020
The bill advanced by the House Appropriations Committee to the House floor Tuesday also would increase funding for a number of civilian agencies.
Ideas
OMB’s New ID Policy Will Help Consumers Protect Their Identities Online
America should modernize our existing paper-based identification systems around a privacy-protecting, consumer-centric digital model.
Cybersecurity
DHS Cyber Incident Response Team Gets House Approval
Lawmakers passed legislation that would stand up a permanent team of cyber specialists to help agency and industry recover from digital attacks.
Policy
The True Price of Privatizing Space Travel
As NASA opens up the International Space Station to private astronauts, the romance of space will be within reach for those who can afford it.
Digital Government
‘Space Force’ Shrinks in House Proposal
A bipartisan amendment would trim several generals from the new space-focused component.
Modernization
House Passes Revamped Bipartisan IRS Reform Bill
The Taxpayer First Act would redesign the agency and boost identity theft protection.
Digital Government
Will Trump Object to the Raytheon-United Technologies Merger?
After an analyst said Obama-era opposition to consolidation had dissipated, Trump appeared to signal the opposite.
Cybersecurity
OMB Chief: Contractors Need More Time to Cut Ties With Huawei, ZTE
Without the extension, there could be “a dramatic reduction” in the contractors that can legally do business with the government, according to acting OMB Director Russel Vought.
Ideas
How to Stop Fearing AI
The latest cloud of fear emanating is that artificial intelligence will pass along or even amplify the biases and inequities that have plagued our society for decades.
Digital Government
Where a Census Undercount Will Hurt (or Help) Most
A 2020 Census that favors white and Republican-leaning districts—and undercounts younger, lower income, and black and Hispanic residents—seems ever more likely.
Policy