Digital Government

Cybersecurity moving up on Congress' to-do list, staffer says

A Senate staffer on Thursday told a Washington audience that momentum is growing in Congress for passage of comprehensive cybersecurity legislation. Meanwhile, DHS is readying new performance metrics for FISMA compliance.

People

Bill would require small-business training for contracting officers

A Senate measure would require a training and certification program to teach the acquisition workforce about small business set-aside programs.

Digital Government

FISMA reform would elevate White House's cyber authority

The Federal Information Security Amendment passed as part of the House's 2011 Defense Authorization Bill would establish a White House office to oversee the government's IT security requirements.

People

Grassley questions costs of SES training

Some SES training courses cost 460 percent more than private universities and over 1,000 percent more than most public universities, a senior senator says.

People

Telework: Senate gives unanimous thumbs up

The Senate has unanimously approved the Telework Enhancement Act, which would give federal employees presumptive eligibility to telework and ensure that telework is part of continuity-of-operations planning.

People

Legislation would freeze agencies' hiring

As the Obama administration seeks to boost the federal workforce to balance the number of its employees with those in the private-sector, a group of House Republicans has proposed freezing agencies' ability to hire.

People

Senate passes bill to fix federal hiring process

The Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act (S. 736) and the president's recent memo calling for an overhaul of the complex federal hiring process feature similar fixes.

People

Porn provision stalls House IT bill

Reauthorization of the America Competes law to boost technology and innovation got stalled by a GOP motion that would punish federal employees caught watching pornography at work.

People

Porn provision stalls House IT bill

Reauthorization of the America Competes law to boost technology and innovation got stalled by a GOP motion that would punish federal employees caught watching pornography at work.

Digital Government

Facebook publishes new page about Capitol Hill

Facebook starts a new page focused on sharing information on how its social networking tools are being used by members of Congress.

Digital Government

Proposed Office of Cyberspace would come with budget authority

A bill introduced by Rep. James Langevin (D-R.I.) would help the government address rapidly evolving challenges of cybersecurity, the congressman tells contractors.

Modernization

Measure would require agencies to put all public records online

New legislation would mandate that agencies make public records permanently available online.

Cybersecurity

A House insider's view of U.S. cybersecurity policy

Rep. Yvette Clarke, the chairwoman of House Homeland Security subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Cybersecurity, discusses the difficulty of legislating an issue that constantly changes.

Cybersecurity

Bill would set requirements for cyber coordinator

Senior House lawmakers want the Senate to approve presidential picks to head up a White House cyberspace office.

Modernization

Bill would create Web portal for veterans' records

Rep. Niki Tsongas has introduced legislation to enable veterans to access their service records electronically through a Web portal.

People

Telework improvements bill falls short in House vote

The House of Representatives today failed to pass the Telework Improvements Act that would direct federal agencies to name telework coordinators and to set policies to maximize use of teleworking.

Digital Government

Regulators, first responders square off for a piece of the 'D Block'

First responder groups, regulators and members of Congress are at odds over how to create a next-generation broadband network for public safety.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers circulate draft consumer privacy bill

The bill, which has not been introduced, would restrict how companies can share personal data they collect from people over the Internet and offline.

Digital Government

Rockefeller calls for public-private action on cybersecurity

Sen. Jay Rockefeller's cybersecurity bill would promote shared responsibility between government and industry.

People

House passes bill to upgrade DOD acquisition workforce

The bill seeks to reform the 80 percent of the Defense Department's acquisition system that 2009's reform didn't touch, some lawmakers say.