Emerging Tech
FAA Rule Would Let Drones Fly Over People and At Night Without a Waiver
The move would greatly open the use of small drones but at least one lawmaker is worried about the privacy of people on the ground.
Digital Government
‘Tens of Thousands’ of Government Contractors Laid Off Due to Shutdown
The prolonged government shutdown is getting "pretty scary" as the number of federal employees and contractors forced out of work could impact the nation’s next jobs report.
Digital Government
The Shutdown Is Screwing With Cities and Mayors Are Not Pleased
Local officials are bracing for a confluence of funding crises barrelling toward transit, housing, food assistance, and … well, everything else.
Digital Government
Work on Security Clearance Backlog Continues Through Shutdown
While OPM is closed, the National Background Investigations Bureau continues to chip away at its 600,000-case backlog.
Digital Government
Here’s How the Shutdown Hurts Government Contractors
The shutdown is having a major effect on government contractors and federal employees alike.
Digital Government
Defense Acquisition Reform Panel Suggests Reevaluating Department CIO
The Section 809 Panel’s third report recommends big changes to how the Defense Department buys technology.
Modernization
House Unanimously Passes Bill to Elevate the Federal CIO
But the Federal CIO Authorization Act still has no Senate counterpart.
Digital Government
Open Federal Data is Now the Law of the Land
President Trump signed the OPEN Government Data Act into law, requiring agencies to publish machine-readable data and appoint chief data officers.
Digital Government
Shutdown Consequences: Could a Drop in Credit Score Lead to Loss of Security Clearance?
Financial experts say not to worry, but at least one lawmaker wants assurances from the White House.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Propose Bills to Avoid Future Shutdowns, Secure the Power Grid
Congress also cleared a bill to ensure furloughed feds get back pay once the government reopens.
Digital Government
Moonlighting Feds Could Be Risking Their Jobs
Furloughed federal employees turning to other jobs need to be aware of federal ethics guidelines and agency rules a second job could violate.
Podcasts
Critical Update: The New Congress (And a Shutdown)
New leaders mean new priorities—and the partial shutdown is affecting some of those decisions.
Modernization
Industry Says Not So Fast to OMB's Proposed Data Center Policy Changes
While only a few comments were submitted by deadline, most called for significant changes to the proposed metrics and overall intent of the draft Data Center Optimization Initiative.
Ideas
How a New Law Supports Quantum Computing's Great Leap Forward
The technology could be up there with some of the major technological advancements that changed the world, like the microchip or even electricity.
Digital Government
Federal Business Opportunities Site and Others Online After Issues
Three important sites operated by the General Services Administration experienced technical problems last week.
Policy
Election Security is a Key Part of House Democrats' Reform Bill
H.R. 1 would codify many of the security measures lawmakers have pushed for the last two years.
Modernization
Lawmakers Reintroduce Legislation to Strengthen Federal CIO
The bill would elevate the authority of the federal chief information officer and chief information security officer.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Fight Chinese Tech Theft and Supply Chain Threats
The legislation would create a White House office to help the government punch back against economic espionage.
Modernization
Technology Modernization Fund Gets Nothing in House-Passed Funding Bill
Though the president already threatened to veto the bill if it passes the Senate.
Policy