Cybersecurity
UnitedHealth CEO grilled over ‘clear national security threat’ from Change Healthcare hack
CEO Andrew Witty told members of Congress that UnitedHealth believes some members of the armed forces were exposed in the attack.
Emerging Tech
NSF pitches Congress on the potential of quantum technology
The National Science Foundation made a case for robust congressional funding in emerging tech research following budget cuts to the agency this year.
Emerging Tech
Bipartisan bill seeks to grow NASA program using drones to fight wildfires
New legislation attempts to improve NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response to Operations program so firefighters can more effectively use drones.
Acquisition
House panel advances bill to make federal contracting easier to understand
The Plain Language in Contracting Act would require agencies to use easy-to-understand language for certain procurement notices pertaining to small businesses.
Policy
Bipartisan group looks to push IRS towards simpler math error notices
The IRS MATH Act would require the tax agency to send more specific, straightforward notices when it corrects simple math errors on tax returns.
Policy
Biden signs extension of controversial spying program into 2026
The Section 702 authorities were reauthorized without the addition of a warrant requirement to review the communications of Americans caught up in foreign surveillance.
Artificial Intelligence
Senate bill aims to bring more private sector participation to federal AI innovation
The latest piece of AI-focused legislation seeks to make private sector collaboration a top priority for several agencies.
People
Bipartisan bill seeks to expand workers’ access to digital skills training programs
House and Senate lawmakers are seeking to modify current law to create a “digital skills at work grant program” for those accessing government-funded career services.
Cybersecurity
House passes bill barring spy agencies, law enforcement from buying Americans’ personal data
The measure doesn’t have support from the Biden administration, which argues it threatens national security and worsens Americans’ privacy protections.
Artificial Intelligence
House committee introduces 5 guardrails for internal AI use
The Committee on House Administration released its April AI Flash Report reviewing past and present agenda items to implement AI systems in legislative operations.
Digital Government
Lawmakers to include VET-TEC renewal under broader veteran bill, per committee spokesperson
VA’s five-year tech training pilot expired April 1 after Congress failed to pass legislation to renew the program.
Cybersecurity
New bill would create a governing body for water system cyber standards
The legislation comes after the Biden administration rescinded a memorandum that would have tied water sector cyber reviews to existing sanitation surveys.
Policy
House advances spy power reauthorization bill without warrant measure
The bill — which represents a win for Biden administration policy objectives — will now be taken up in the Senate, with a week to go before the authority sunsets.
Modernization
VA not sharing details on supply chain upgrade, Republican lawmaker says
Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., who heads a House subcommittee focused on tech at Veterans Affairs, said “there does not seem to be any approved budget” for the new supply chain system, which the department estimates to cost between $9 billion and $15 billion.
Digital Government
White House, Senate Democrats tout new $1.4B anti-fraud proposal
Among the efforts that would see funding under the sweeping proposal are a new “early warning system” for fraud in government benefits.
Exclusive
Acquisition
Mace sponsors bill to ban educational requirements for government contractors
The bill tracks with ongoing bipartisan efforts to push the government towards skills-based hiring.
Acquisition
Wyden bill requires new cyber standards in federal tech procurement
The legislation comes in the wake of several cyber incidents targeting the federal government.
Digital Government
The Labor Department wants Congress to help to fix unemployment insurance tech, delivery
Among the asks: fund the program adequately, the Labor Department says.
Policy
Section 702 renewal has support in Congress, but intelligence officials are leery of warrant measure
The disputed surveillance authority expires April 19, and the intelligence community is sending a full-court press to keep it from garnering significant privacy reforms.
Cybersecurity