Digital Government
House Passes Defense Policy Bill with Provision to Block OPM-GSA Merger
The must-pass legislation also includes amendments granting paid family leave and protecting feds’ health insurance during shutdowns.
Modernization
Court Rules in Favor of Pentagon in JEDI Lawsuit
The ruling against Oracle clears the way for the government to award the contract in August to Microsoft or Amazon Web Services.
Policy
Trump Executive Order Directs ‘All Agencies’ to Share Citizenship Data with Commerce Department
The executive order followed President Trump’s Rose Garden remarks Thursday but doesn’t provide many specifics regarding how to move the records.
Policy
Figuring Out How to Go After International Robocallers
The FCC will vote on a proposed rule next month that would ban malicious caller ID spoofing for text messages and robocalls that originate outside the United States. State attorneys general have long requested federal assistance with complaints about robocallers from out of the country.
Digital Government
Lawmaker Calls for Outside Investigation of Secret Border Patrol Facebook Group
The Homeland Security Department has condemned derogatory comments posted within the group and promised a review of its own.
Digital Government
Experts Say Federal Data Strategy Needs Leaders and Funding to Succeed
Stakeholders are pleased the government is poised to take action on the federal data strategy but had some management advice for the Office of Management and Budget.
Digital Government
Improving Transit Through Lyft and Uber? More Agencies Are Paying for Ride-Hailing Rides
Experts and transit leaders say that there could be real benefits to working with ride-hailing companies. But data is needed to assess how successful these programs really are.
Digital Government
President Trump Signs Taxpayer First Act
The law will force the IRS to improve its customer experience while providing tools to move faster in hiring.
Artificial Intelligence
Congress Wants DHS to Study Disruptive Deepfake Videos
Bills introduced in the House and Senate aim to combat the forged media through comprehensive research and technological assessments.
Digital Government
Justice Department Launches API for Foreign Lobbyist Data
The new online portal offers the public easier access to documents filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the law that put Paul Manafort in jail.
Digital Government
CBP Approving ‘Potentially High-Risk’ People for Trusted Traveler Program
The Homeland Security Department Inspector General found officers aren’t properly vetting applicants for the Global Entry program or checking their status at ports of entry.
Digital Government
OPM Still Lacks Legal Analysis of Proposed Merger with GSA
Lawmakers in both parties expressed outrage at the lack of documents provided to support the Trump administration’s proposal.
Policy
Supreme Court Rejects ‘Contrived’ Defense of Citizenship Question on 2020 Census
The high court’s ruling called into question the Trump administration's justification for including the citizenship question but does not preclude the administration from asking residents whether or not they are citizens.
Policy
Congress Passes Bill That Forces IRS to Revamp Taxpayer Experience
The bill passed the House and Senate earlier this month and would usher in major changes to the way IRS engages with millions of customers.
Digital Government
Agencies Meet Small Business Contract Goals
Eight receive an A+ procurement rating, the Small Business Administration says.
Digital Government
House Approves 3.1% Pay Raise and Blocks OPM Furloughs, Merger
Lawmakers dealt the Trump administration’s proposal to merge OPM and GSA another setback.
Modernization
Lawmakers: OMB ‘Skirting the Intent of the Law’ With New Data Center Policy
The administration’s shift in focus to optimization, rather than closures, is not what lawmakers envisioned when they passed FITARA.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Grapple with Improving Election Security While Respecting States’ Rights
Experts say paper ballots are the way to go, but pushed back against efforts to federalize elections.
Artificial Intelligence