Modernization

Officials: Working Capital Funds Take Time But Have ‘Real Staying Power’

Agencies are still figuring out the best way to establish and govern IT working capital funds two years after passage of the MGT Act.

Digital Government

House Passes Month-Long Spending Bill With Two Days Until Shutdown

Congress appears likely to avoid a Thanksgiving lapse in appropriations, but will face a new deadline near Christmas.

Digital Government

Defense Department Fails Its Second Audit, Yet Is Making Progress

This was only the second audit completed for the Pentagon since a 1990 law required them.

Digital Government

Congress Expects to Pass Another Stopgap Spending Bill to Keep Agencies Open Through Dec. 20

Lawmakers hope to pass full-year appropriations before the new deadline and avoid another holiday season shutdown.

Artificial Intelligence

Report: Government Needs Investment, Cooperation on AI

A report commissioned by industry and government AI leaders highlights national security challenges around artificial intelligence.

Digital Government

Defense Secretary Says to Expect ‘Trimming, Reducing, Some Eliminations’ in 2021 Budget

Esper touts "good progress" in high-level review intended to cut fat and find funds for projects to counter China and Russia.

Digital Government

Trump Again Refuses to Rule Out a Shutdown

Lawmakers are moving toward another stopgap spending bill, but Trump hasn't pledged support for the plan.

Digital Government

As Secret Pentagon Spending Rises, Defense Firms Cash in

Classified spending has edged up faster than overall defense budget requests, and accounts for nearly 11 percent of the $716 billion proposed for 2020.

Modernization

Technology Modernization Fund Tapped for Two More Projects

The latest batch of grants leaves the fund with only about $24 million, less than 20% of its total endowment.

Emerging Tech

House Committee Votes to Increase Funding for Energy’s DARPA by $2.9B

The House Science, Space and Technology Committee moved a bill to reauthorize ARPA-E with additional funding, as well as new restrictions and oversight.

Cybersecurity

Budgetary, Technical Hurdles Continue Hampering 2020 Election Security Prep

A Congressional field hearing in Illinois highlighted how far states and local jurisdictions have come since 2016, and how far they have to go.

Digital Government

OMB Touts Money and Time Saved From Regulatory Cuts, Eliminating Busywork

President’s management agenda update highlights 100 “burden-reducing” initiatives. 

Cybersecurity

Senate’s Election Security Funding Bill Leaves a Key Agency Strapped for Cash

The Election Assistance Commission has struggled with insufficient staff and resources.

Digital Government

Senate Sends Trump Seven-Week Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown

The president is expected to sign the stopgap measure and avoid an appropriations lapse, but a funding fight still looms.

Cybersecurity

McConnell Voices Support for $250 Million in Election Security Funds

The bill marks “a great step forward,” but states will need more consistent investment to make long-term improvements, according to CISA Director Chris Krebs.

Digital Government

Senate Appropriators Join House in Blocking OPM-GSA Merger

Senators go with Trump's latest proposal for a 2.6% civilian pay raise for 2020 but no locality increase, while the House has approved an average 3.1% raise.