Congress

Lawmakers move to ban DeepSeek’s AI from government devices

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., charged that China is using DeepSeek “to steal the sensitive data of U.S. citizens.”

Senate Democrats call for DOGE to halt until details are provided

The letter to the White House chief of staff and counsel notes that some of billionaire Elon Musk’s actions via DOGE “may be illegal or unconstitutional.”

Senate Dems call on VA secretary to protect veteran data from DOGE

Lawmakers asked VA Secretary Doug Collins “to deny and sever” DOGE’s access to department systems that include information about veterans.

GOP lawmakers push for DHS innovation arm to secure sensitive data

The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate would be required to develop a process for safeguarding the information in its research and development projects.

Trump’s FBI pick opposes warrant requirement for contested spying power

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kash Patel said a warrant for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act “is just not comported with the requirement to protect American citizenry.”

Democrats worry over Trump funding priorities for CISA’s disinfo efforts

President Donald Trump’s nominee to run DHS wants the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to be smaller and stay out of monitoring disinfo.

Trump’s VA pick voices support for continued EHR deployment

Former Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., said “there's no reason in the world” why VA cannot successfully deploy its beleaguered Oracle Cerner electronic health record system.

Trump’s Treasury pick pledges to keep IRS Direct File open this tax season

Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary, said that he would have to study the long-term future of the tool. Republicans on Capitol Hill, however, have panned Direct File.

Trump pick for CIA chief pledges to remain apolitical amid past controversies

John Ratcliffe was questioned over whether he’d remain an impartial national security official after past incidents as Trump’s former director of national intelligence.

Top Oversight Democrat says he’s open to collaborate with the DOGE

The new Department of Government Efficiency — which, despite the “department” referenced in its name, is an advisory effort, not a government department — has aims to trim the federal workforce and hunt efficiencies in tech and fraud reduction efforts.

Lawmakers call for a review of TSA’s biometric and AI use

Members of the House Homeland Security Committee are asking GAO to investigate the benefits and potential harms of TSA’s usage of artificial intelligence and biometrics.

Lawmakers request briefing from Treasury secretary on Chinese hack

The compromised third-party offering was a commercial remote services tool not listed in the marketplace for FedRAMP, the government’s cloud security compliance framework.

VA plans to restart EHR rollouts in mid-2026, despite viability concerns

VA Secretary Denis McDonough previously told Congress that the department was looking to end its pause on new deployments of the Oracle Cerner software in fiscal year 2025.

SNAP reimbursements cut from Trump-backed spending proposal

Although the future of the Republican bill is uncertain, the stopgap measure released Thursday does not include reimbursements for people whose federal food benefits are skimmed.

Senators want DHS to detail efforts to mitigate GPS disruptions

Sens. Maggie Hassan. D-N.H., and James Lankford, R-Okla., expressed concerns that adversarial powers are investing in land-based alternatives to GPS, but that the U.S. has not taken similar steps.

Government spending bill would also codify VA’s customer experience office

The continuing resolution to keep the government funded through March 14 would, in part, formalize a VA office that gathers feedback to improve veteran services.