Congress
DHS, cyber industry mobilize to get CISA director nominee confirmed
“It’s a national security risk to not have him,” said a current U.S. official.
Technology Modernization Fund nears expiration, despite bipartisan backing
Some lawmakers are pushing for the modernization fund to be included in the must-pass annual defense bill before it expires next week.
Bill prioritizing American customers for AI chips not expected to make it into final NDAA, sources say
With the defense authorization bill being finalized this week, the chips-centric GAIN AI Act lost steam, according to sources familiar with the proceedings, but an amendment prohibiting U.S. investment in Chinese technology is expected to be included.
Democrats bring back AI civil rights bill
The reintroduction of an anti-algorithmic discrimination bill comes as the advocacy for a decade-long moratorium on state-level AI regulation recirculates in Congress.
New bill proposes government-wide processes to attribute, sanction hackers
The measure would permit “robust sanctions against designated actors, including asset blocking, financial restrictions, export controls, procurement prohibitions, visa bans and suspension of assistance.”
House Science Dems call for investigation into NASA Goddard cuts
The administration’s ongoing push to close labs and facilities at the Goddard Space Flight Center “risks permanently degrading Goddard’s scientific and technical capabilities with these moves,” Democratic members of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee wrote.
White House official, lawmaker call for amplifying US tech policy abroad
Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., and OSTP Director Michael Kratsios also advocated for a light-touch regulatory regime that has become a centerpiece of the Trump administration's tech approach.
Congress weighed measure to curtail scope of DHS intelligence office
A provision, ultimately left out of the Intelligence Authorization Act, would have removed commonplace collection and analysis authorities granted to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, rendering much of the office’s functions inert.
Lawmakers propose grant program to boost AI training in medical schools
The bill would enable qualified medical schools and institutions to receive up to $100,000 in funding to promote AI literacy.
Senators expect 10-year extension of cyber data-sharing law in future budget package
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 got a temporary reprieve after the government reopened this month, but it risks lapsing again at the end of January.
Government spending package includes money for House modernization efforts
Funding earmarked for the House of Representatives’ Modernization Initiatives Account can be used to accelerate the development of innovative constituent-focused tools.
CBO systems accessed in ‘security incident’ possibly tied to foreign hackers
The office estimates the cost and economic impact of proposed legislation and helps forecast federal spending, revenues, deficits and debt.
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Lawmakers propose requiring agencies, major firms to report AI’s job impact
A new bill from Sens. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., would direct covered entities to provide quarterly reports to the Labor Department detailing layoffs and workforce displacements caused by uses of AI.
House Republican questions government stake in tech companies
Georgia Congressman Rich McCormick disputed the Trump administration’s approach to investing in the private sector while aligning with its broader low-regulatory regime.
Lawmaker, advocacy leader underscore legal immigration as central to US AI dominance
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. and National Association of Manufacturers President Jay Timmons agreed that legal immigration is needed to fill manufacturing jobs that will be crucial for U.S. AI sector growth.
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House Democrats want answers on CISA reassignments to border security, immigration roles
A letter led by Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., argues DHS violated the Antideficiency Act when it conducted a reduction in force during the government shutdown.
Bipartisan House bill seeks to equip small businesses with AI
The AI for Mainstreet Act calls on the Small Business Administration to support small U.S. enterprises in adopting artificial intelligence systems.
Judiciary Democrats launch watchdog website amid withheld funding from inspector general group
The lawmakers are maintaining hotline information for over 20 OIGs, as watchdogs scramble to set up temporary websites after the White House withheld funding from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
Top cyber lawmaker wants answers on CISA workforce reductions
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., penned a strongly-worded letter to CISA’s acting director asking for an update on the status of the cyberdefense agency’s staffing posture.
AI export control bill passes Senate as NDAA amendment
The GAIN AI Act, which forces chip manufacturers to prioritize U.S.-based customers, made its way into the Senate’s final National Defense Authorization Act text.
