Digital Government
OPM Chief to Propose Legislation for Merger With GSA By Week’s End
The Trump administration claims OPM cannot function properly without revenue from the National Background Investigations Bureau.
Digital Government
Updated Federal Data Strategy and Draft Action Plan Coming Soon
The final action plan is set to be released in August, with deliverables for agencies to meet within one year.
Emerging Tech
Senators Urge FCC Not to Use 24GHz Spectrum for 5G
Experts across government are concerned it will disrupt the future of weather forecasting.
Podcasts
Critical Update: Enter The Innovators
Season 3 of Critical Update kicks off with a mythbusting session on what it means to be innovative in government.
Cybersecurity
House Leaders Aim to Secure Voting with Grants and Paper Ballots
The bill would also create cybersecurity standards for voting systems.
Cybersecurity
Chemical Safety Board Needs to Consistently Follow Its Cyber Rules, Watchdog Says
Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General said the agency’s lack of defined policies makes it susceptible to security incidents.
Digital Government
FEMA Used Google Rather Than Verified Registry to Fill Hurricane Relief Contracts
Agency that has come under recent scrutiny for handling of contracts rejects IG recommendations.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon ‘Matchmakers’ Aim to Keep U.S. Tech Firms from Taking Chinese Money
Defense officials hope to protect cutting-edge technologies by getting innovative firms funded by U.S.-friendly investors.
Cybersecurity
Senate Bill Would Train Federal Buyers to Spot Counterintelligence Threats
The goal is to reduce the risks of adversaries gaining entry to agencies through their supply chains.
Cybersecurity
IRS Authority To Regulate Tax Prep Cybersecurity Has Gaps, Watchdog Says
Digital tax fraud schemes are on the rise but the IRS can only do so much to regulate third-party providers without more authority.
Digital Government
Trump Taps Shanahan To Lead DOD, Ending Months of Speculation
The nomination marks the beginning of the end of the tenure of the longest-serving acting defense secretary.
Policy
Senators Call for FTC to Investigate Amazon’s Echo Dot for Kids
Lawmakers want to know how the devices are using and storing children’s personal information.
Policy
CBO: Space Force Could Cost $3B Up Front, $1.3B Annually
The new independent analysis comes as lawmakers weigh the creation of a new branch of the military.
Digital Government
What Federal Employees Might Want to Know Before Blowing the Whistle to Congress
Volume of disclosures rises when congressional oversight dominates the news, watchdog notes in new primer.
Modernization
Oracle Makes More Allegations in JEDI Lawsuit
Oracle filed a 125-page amended complaint with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Policy
Lawmakers Demand Details on NSA’s Sweeping Phone Surveillance Operations
The Call Detail Record program, which scoops up the phone records of millions of Americans, is set to expire at the end of 2019.
Digital Government
OPM Nominee Defends Tenure at Labor Authority, Commits to Working with Lawmakers on GSA Merger
Dale Cabaniss dismissed her record-low employee morale scores at FLRA as backlash to efforts to make the agency “more fair” and effective.
Digital Government
Why Uber and Lyft Drivers Are Striking
Uber and Lyft drivers plan to protest and picket this week. From companies, they want better wages and working conditions. From cities, they want regulations.
Policy
Contractors Advise Lawmakers on How to Reduce Pain During the Next Shutdown
House Democrats’ field hearing spotlights suffering from the most recent lapse in appropriations as message to colleagues.
Emerging Tech