Policy
Freshman Lawmaker Will Oversee VA’s Multibillion-dollar EHR Overhaul
Rep. Susie Lee will lead the House Veterans Affairs Technology Modernization subcommittee.
Policy
Wall Funding Remains In Limbo But Both Sides Argue For Border Security Tech
Democrats and Republicans from both chambers of Congress said they want cutting-edge tech patrolling the border but GOP members of the conference committee say they want physical barrier funding, too.
Modernization
Poor Leadership Set Back VA Data Center Consolidation Efforts, Watchdog Says
The agency failed to report an estimated 860 data centers, which violates FITARA requirements, auditors said.
Digital Government
Stopgap Spending Measure Doesn’t Fix Federal Contractors’ Problems
Rebooting the government after a shutdown is not an immediate process and contractors are waiting for invoices to be paid.
Cybersecurity
Lawmaker: Congress Needs Fewer Committees with Cyber Oversight
Cybersecurity legislation won’t get anywhere if too many groups are weighing in, said Rep. Jim Langevin.
Digital Government
Report: Agencies are Doing a Better Job Embracing Open Data
And the more they lean in, the more benefits they’ll see, government data experts said.
Policy
What Cities Get When They Offer Free Tech Support to Residents
Computer repair isn’t cheap—so D.C.’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer is lending its own technicians to help residents fix their devices for free.
Emerging Tech
Trump's Space Ambitions Are Too Big for One President
The reality of space travel squashed his impulsive desire to reach Mars in his first term, rather than the 2030s.
Digital Government
Will There Be an Infrastructure Package This Year?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told mayors she’s “optimistic” about bipartisan infrastructure legislation that avoids financially burdening cities.
Policy
The Senate Votes for More Stalemate
The defeat of two proposals to reopen the government sent the same sobering message: Congressional lawmakers and President Trump aren’t prepared to end the shutdown.
Digital Government
The Pain of the Second Missed Paycheck
As the government shutdown drags on, workers’ hardship grows—and soon could become a political break point.
Ideas
Don’t Play Mob Ball: What Acquisition Pros Can Learn from Kids Soccer
PEOs tend to grab onto a hot new contract approach like elementary schoolers chasing a ball.
Podcasts
Critical Update: No End in Sight For Shutdown as Costs Mount
The partial government shutdown is having dire effects across the country, not just at federal agencies.
Modernization
The House Oversight IT Subcommittee is Dead
The panel’s responsibilities—which include oversight of FITARA and other federal tech initiatives—will be swept up by the Government Operations subcommittee.
Artificial Intelligence
National Intelligence Strategy Warns of Technological Threats to U.S.
Disruptive technologies will democratize capabilities previously available only to nation-states with plenty of resources.
Artificial Intelligence
Former Google Chief to Chair Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Group
Eric Schmidt will join 14 other tech experts on the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.
Modernization
Latest Bills to End Shutdown Include $25 Million Bump to Technology Modernization Fund
Previous spending packages didn’t allocate any additional money for the revolving fund.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Set the Stage for the Privacy Debate
Congress also took up bills to upgrade the power grid, combat Chinese tech threats and punish robocallers.
Digital Government
DHS Pauses Most Contracting Deadlines Until After Shutdown Ends
The extensions only apply to seven department procurement offices and do not override existing posted amendments.
Digital Government