Artificial Intelligence
Senate bill mandating agency chief AI officers gets House companion
The proposal would codify several aspects of AI guidance released by the Office of Management and Budget in guidance this spring.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers question Microsoft president over security culture that enabled recent hacking incidents
Brad Smith took responsibility for the hacks as lawmakers said the tech giant will have to work to earn back the trust of its customers.
Artificial Intelligence
Legislation seeks to establish AI research partnerships between U.S. and foreign cities
The bill would limit collaborative experimentation to “non-national security areas” of AI.
Artificial Intelligence
Senators look to mitigate risks in AI procurement
Sens. Gary Peters and Thom Tillis introduced new legislation that would codify safety measures in government contracts for artificial intelligence products and services.
Digital Government
Bipartisan House bill offers NIST help
The Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act would create a separate organization dedicated to helping NIST with its mission objectives.
Ideas
Congress needs to rethink its approach to tech policy
COMMENTARY | The spider's web of congressional committee jurisdiction creates problems when it comes to technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
Modernization
Lawmakers look to restore TSA funding to speed screening tech deployment
The measure is one of three bipartisan proposals rolled out this week that seek to bolster funding for TSA’s deployment of new technologies and to limit invasive pat-downs of travelers.
Policy
Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids’ use of social media
Lawmakers are seeking to set a minimum age to access social media and put more of the onus on social media companies and their algorithms, while also giving parents more controls in trying to protect their kids online.
Emerging Tech
Bipartisan House bill seeks to reauthorize federal counter-drone authority
A proposal to extend the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice’s authority to mitigate threats from unmanned aircraft systems would also grant new counter-drone abilities to the FAA.
Cybersecurity
A law directing cyber reg harmonization would ‘help enormously,’ White House official says
The remarks come a day after ONCD issued a blog calling for cybersecurity regulations to be harmonized.
Digital Government
Tech sees steep cuts in House Republicans’ funding proposal
The Technology Modernization Fund would once again see zero contributions in FY25, though the U.S. Digital Service would get new authority to get reimbursements from agencies under the bill.
Ideas
Why it's past time to modernize the FITARA scorecard
COMMENTARY | Another reset is needed to keep the FITARA scorecard relevant in driving IT management best practices across federal agencies
People
VA's tech training program for vets is up for renewal, but backers want more accountability
A provision in a recently introduced legislative package would extend VA’s VET-TEC training program through September 2026 while seeking to address employment disparities.
Cybersecurity
Senator calls for federal probes of UnitedHealth for negligent cyber practices
Hackers broke into Change Healthcare systems due to a lack of multifactor authentication.
Acquisition
VA extends Oracle's EHR contract for 1 month
Lawmakers are pressing for more accountability in the multibillion dollar contract amid delays, system downtime and patient safety concerns.
Modernization
House passes TMF reauthorization bill
The Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act includes changes around repayment to the TMF.
Cybersecurity
Cyber Force study gets added to House panel’s 2025 defense policy bill
The study on whether to create a Cyber Force branch in the Pentagon now goes to the House floor as part of the 2025 NDAA.
Ideas
How government outreach can combat election disinformation
COMMENTARY | We need a solution in which messages are non-partisan, easily accessible and easy to understand.
Emerging Tech
NIST’s emerging tech work will be ‘very difficult’ without sustained funding, director says
Testifying before a House committee, NIST Director Laurie Locascio highlighted her agency’s ongoing work while making clear the need for more funding.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity