Digital Government

Agencies may not like Facebook’s new ‘like’ feature

Recent changes to Facebook that have caused controversy on Capitol Hill could also pose new concerns for agencies, according to one expert.

Cybersecurity

TechAmerica wants Congress to move on tax credit, R&D money

The U.S. high-tech industry lost 245,600 jobs in 2009, according to the TechAmerica Foundation.

Digital Government

Study finds a widening gap between best, worst congressional Web sites

The Congressional Management Foundation rated all 620 congressional Web sites on anywhere from 49 to 93 criteria and found what it called a digital divide on the Hill: The most common grades were A and F.

Digital Government

House members seek parity for behavioral health electronic records

Lawmakers offer legislation to help mental health professionals buy health IT systems.

Digital Government

Telework legislation moves closer to passage

A bill that would expand the opportunities for telework across the government has moved a step closer to being passed.

Cybersecurity

Senators look to Amsterdam for airport technology

Computer-based auto-detection technology deployed at Amsterdam’s airport to screen passengers for explosives could be useful in the United States, according to some senators.

Cybersecurity

Civil liberties groups fight biometric IDs

The ACLU and other civil liberties groups oppose two senators' plan that includes a requirement for biometric Social Security cards.

Acquisition

House panel proposes more defense contracting reforms

The IMPROVE Acquisition Act would improve competition, financial management and workforce issues and save $135 billion over the next five years. backers say.

Cybersecurity

Agencies struggle with securing computers, GAO reports

Senators act to get agencies to secure their computer systems against cyberattacks and hackers.

Acquisition

Senators again attempt program parity

Contracting officers would get to choose the small-business program that best suits an agency’s need, instead of giving HUBZone program priority.

People

Lawmaker wants more technology for transparency

A new House bill would require the use of technologies to increase disclosures from lobbyists and lawmakers.

Digital Government

Senators get in on Internet freedom push

A bipartisan group of senators has formed a caucus to thwart Internet censorship outside the United States.

Digital Government

Cyber Command hits speed bump

The Senate Armed Services Committee this month put the brakes on the creation of the U.S. Cyber Command, requesting more information on its relationship with the National Security Agency, reports Bill Gertz at Washington Times.

Digital Government

House passes P2P software reform bill

The House has passed a bill to restrict the use of peer-to-peer software on all federal government computers.

Cybersecurity

Bill revision addresses fear that president could gain emergency power to control Internet

A new draft of cybersecurity legislation in the Senate seeks to boost government collaboration with industry to protect critical information systems from cyber threats.

Modernization

House bill targets Internet censorship

Legislation in the House would require the National Science Foundation to set up a foundation to fund programs to defeat Internet censorship.

Digital Government

Obama administration may give better-paying contractors an advantage

Obama administration officials are considering a policy that would give preference to contractors who pay their employees higher wages, over Republican opposition.

Acquisition

House panel links acquisition reforms to people

After a year of hearings, the chairman of a House panel on Defense Department acquisition reforms says DOD must develop new regulations for hiring and building up a civilian acquisition workforce.

Acquisition

Senate bill takes aim at HUBZone fraud

The bill seeks to ensure that only eligible firms participate in the HUBZone program.

Cybersecurity

U.S. would lose a cyber war, former intell chief warns

The country needs to make a national commitment to securing cyberspace before a catastropic attack occurs.