People
Archivist confirmation hearing turns to politics behind Mar-a-Lago search
Republicans seized on a traditionally "sleepy" confirmation process to draw attention to the National Archives and Records Administration's involvement in the FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
People
Your guide to pay and benefits during a shutdown
Although lawmakers are loath to let appropriations lapse ahead of an election, complications remain over permitting reform and other measures expected to be included in legislation to keep the government open.
People
Senators float plan to authorize local-level federal executive boards
The bipartisan Improving Government Efficiency and Workforce Development through Federal Executive Boards Act is designed to strengthen the workforce development activities of the boards.
Policy
House passes bill to prevent civil service overhauls without input from Congress
Despite the support of more than 30 good government groups, Republicans remained largely opposed to the measure.
Cybersecurity
Industry cautions on software security regs in the defense bill
Trade groups want Congress to remove a provision in the House-passed defense policy bill mandating software bills of materials in some federal acquisition.
Cybersecurity
Maritime cybersecurity is front and center in Coast Guard reauthorization bill
A new Coast Guard reauthorization bill would provide some of the first cybersecurity protections and data management requirements for the U.S. Marine Transportation System in federal law.
Cybersecurity
CISA seeks public input on cybersecurity incident reporting rules
The nation’s cyber defense agency will embark on a cross-country listening tour to better understand what key stakeholders are hoping to see in new mandatory cyber incident reporting requirements featured in the recently-passed Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022.
Digital Government
Bill Foster talks digital identity
The stars may finally be aligning for comprehensive digital identity legislation to pass in Congress. If it does, the Illinois Democrat will be a big reason why.
People
A union is urging support for TSA workforce reform in the defense policy bill
The American Federation of Government Employees also said they oppose a plan to delay the Defense Department’s return to one-year probationary periods for new employees.
Acquisition
Senators urge DOJ to flex debarment authority
Two Democrats say that companies are getting away with "ripping off the government" because of the reluctance to exercise suspension and debarment authorities.
People
Senate Dems have joined the push to block a Schedule F revival
As Republican groups discuss plans to reinstitute the controversial plan to strip tens of thousands of federal workers of their civil service protections, congressional Democrats have renewed their efforts to block it.
Policy
A new bill seeks to prevent the Secret Service from withholding records from its watchdog
“While I share the concerns of my colleagues about the actions of the current inspector general, it is also clear the Secret Service tried to impede the inspector general’s investigation into the events of Jan. 6,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.
Modernization
Averting the next pandemic with real-time health data
The Center for Public Health Data would aggregate federal, state and local health data and make it accessible in real time so it can be used for decision-making as health threats unfold.
Acquisition
Lawmakers push Biden for an order to root out dark money from federal contractors
A group of lawmakers want the White House to issue an executive order requiring large federal contractors to disclose their political spending – but not everyone is in support of the idea.
Acquisition
Senate passes bill to root out conflicts of interest in federal contracting
The Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act sets new disclosure requirements and expands authorities for federal contracting officers.
Modernization
CBP’s facial recognition program at airports is expanding but concerns remain
The facial recognition program for international arrivals in airports is rolled out in all international airports in the United States.
Cybersecurity
National Computer Forensics Institute up for reauthorization
The proposal would continue NCFI’s services through 2028 for any government employee who could help prevent or investigate cyber crimes.
Cybersecurity
A top senate democrat has asked DOJ to investigate missing Jan. 6 text messages
The Homeland Security watchdog has been under fire for its handling of the matter.
Cybersecurity
Senators introduce bill to ensure resiliency of federal data centers
The proposal would establish baseline safeguards for cybersecurity and physical issues like natural disasters.
Modernization