Congress
Senate confirms Josh Rudd to lead NSA and Cyber Command
The foreign eavesdropping agency and digital combatant command have not had a permanent leader in place for the past 11 months.
Senators call on agencies to capture AI’s workforce impact
A bipartisan group of senators are asking the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau to update their national surveys to better understand artificial intelligence’s impacts in the culture and workforce.
Lawmakers raise questions about security of health data shared with AI tools
“I do think there's some consumer safeguards that should be implemented,” Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said about the way AI firms may apply users’ healthcare data.
Private sector, former military leaders urge Congress intervene in Pentagon-Anthropic dispute
Over 30 former military officers and individuals working in tech sent a letter to congressional leadership expressing concern over the Pentagon-Anthropic dispute and asking for lawmakers to take action to reign in executive power and set AI guardrails.
NIST director nominee commits to support AI standards-setting, manufacturing
Arvind Raman told lawmakers that it is “vitally important” that the U.S. lead in global standards-setting so that the country’s values are entrenched in AI development.
IRS CEO largely dodges questions about data sharing at IRS, SSA
Frank Bisignano cited “current litigation” for why he could not provide further details about IRS data sharing with ICE, and he disputed court records detailing how DOGE employees handled data at SSA.
House amendment responding to Pentagon-Anthropic conflict fails committee vote
Lawmakers split over an amendment to the Defense Production Act from Rep. Sam Liccardo, D-Calif., that would have prohibited the government from blacklisting firms opposed to their tech being used in certain situations.
Wyden to block confirmation for NSA director, citing lack of experience
The senator, in part, took issue with Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s responses to questions regarding civil liberties and oversight against unlawful surveillance.
White House seeks clean extension on controversial spying law
Despite Donald Trump’s previous misgivings, his administration is signaling confidence in the statute with its current stance.
House Democrats say TrumpRx portal exaggerates prescription discounts
Despite the White House’s claim that the platform offers the world’s lowest prices on prescriptions, Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a report saying “for nearly half of the drugs listed on TrumpRx, that is either misleading or completely false.”
Republican lawmakers ask GAO to review current AI regulatory landscape
Leaders in the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee have asked the Government Accountability Office to examine the regulatory landscape at both the state and federal level.
Lawmaker pitches blueprint for post-DOGE privacy overhaul
Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., wants to redo the government's main privacy law to ensure people’s information is “handled responsibly” when in government hands.
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Senators demand to know the IRS’ path forward following the end of Direct File
The IRS ended the online, direct-to-government filing program last fall and is doubling down on the free tax filing options it offers through tax prep companies in a partnership called Free File.
Senators to revive reform effort for controversial spying law
The proposed changes to Section 702 of FISA would mandate warrants for searches of U.S. person communications and revisit a 2024 provision that critics say widened the government’s surveillance reach.
AI moratorium was never a ‘long-term solution,’ lawmaker says
Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., explained that Congress is angling to design a nationwide AI framework that works with state law while offering common guardrails.
Digital GI bill delays are a reflection of VA’s IT management problem, lawmakers say
Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., said the delays and cost overruns affecting VA’s new digital GI Bill system were “not unique.”
Senator says AT&T and Verizon blocked release of Salt Typhoon security reports
“AT&T and Verizon apparently intervened” to block a major cyber intelligence firm from sending documentation about the telecom hackers, Sen. Maria Cantwell wrote in a letter.
Key cyber statutes at risk again as Congress works to avert shutdown
One measure allows the private sector to provide threat data to government agencies with key legal protections in place.
US developed ‘non-kinetic’ cell ahead of Venezuela mission to push cyber operations
Officials said that cyber capabilities are expected to play a central role in future U.S. military undertakings.
Bipartisan pair of senators acknowledge need for federal AI standard that accounts for state laws
Sens. Cantwell and Young sound off on the policy requirements the U.S. needs to strengthen its scientific enterprise to win the global AI race.
