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.
Digital Government
Trump Signs Order Requiring Agencies to Offset Some New Spending
Researchers have suggested the Bush-era policy could hurt program management.
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.
Modernization
House Passes Seven-Week Stopgap Spending Bill in Hopes of Avoiding October Shutdown
The Senate must still pass the bill.
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.
Digital Government
Agencies Paid Federal Employees $3.7 Billion Not to Work During Recent Shutdowns
One department lost 90 employees during the most recent lapse, while another slashed hiring by nearly 40%.
Artificial Intelligence
Administration Projects Agencies Will Spend $1 Billion on Artificial Intelligence Next Year
But industry experts warned it might not be enough.
Emerging Tech
The Trump Administration’s Plan to Usher in ‘Second Bold Era’ of Science and Technology
The administration’s lead budget and science policy shops released an outline of funding priorities to maintain America’s competitiveness through research and development of new technologies.
Digital Government
Trump Endorses 2.6% Across the Board Pay Raise for Federal Workers
In a surprise move Friday, the president abandoned his quest for a pay freeze in 2020, although there will be no locality pay adjustment under his plan.
Digital Government
Senate Sends 2-Year Budget Deal to Trump, Shifting Focus to Shutdown-Averting Spending Bills
Lawmakers now have through Sept. 30 to pass appropriations.
Digital Government
Government’s Contract Spending Approaches $600B, Highest Since 2010
Federal contract spending increased for the third straight year.
Policy
Republican Lawmaker Proposes Increased Funding for Energy’s DARPA
The legislation would fund the advanced research and development office for the next five years at increasing levels despite the administration's push to eliminate the office.
Digital Government
Senator Says He Has Trump and McConnell's Support for Bill to End Shutdowns Permanently
Momentum grows for bipartisan bill to prevent lawmakers from leaving D.C. until they pass spending bills.
Digital Government
White House and Lawmakers Agree to Two-Year Budget Deal
The agreement would lift spending caps and raise the debt ceiling.
Cybersecurity
Protecting Election Systems Will Take Much More Federal Money, Report Says
The threat of foreign interference in U.S. elections remains, so the federal government must help state and local officials shore up defenses, according to a new report from the Brennan Center for Justice.
Ideas