Emerging Tech
Lawmaker seeks to give NASA funding flexibility on interagency research efforts
Legislation from Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., would allow agencies to transfer funding to NASA to jointly partner on scientific or engineering projects.
Digital Government
Tech questions at the border
Critics say the Customs and Border Protection app CBP One is glitchy and unfair to migrants.
Defense
Legacy ATO process is slowing software upgrades at DOD, experts say
The Pentagon’s current approach to managing and minimizing risk when acquiring commercial software products presents a barrier to the speedy adoption of new capabilities, experts warned during a congressional hearing.
Artificial Intelligence
Hickenlooper engages experts to develop AI safety legislation
Industry experts and other stakeholders are among entities who received a questionnaire from the Colorado Democrat that aims to inform the development of AI safety auditing policy.
Cybersecurity
China, Russia and Iran capable of disrupting 2024 elections, intel assessment warns
Three nations have the means of deploying campaigns attempting to scramble election outcomes in November, according to the intelligence community’s annual worldwide threat assessment.
Emerging Tech
House Science chairman looks to pass quantum bill
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., highlighted the importance of National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act passage and steady funding for federal research agencies.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers try again with FISMA reform
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee passed a FISMA modernization proposal on to the full floor on Thursday.
People
Bill enhancing contractor whistleblower protections advances to full Senate
The bipartisan proposal would close loopholes that have left federal contractors vulnerable to retaliation.
Digital Government
New bill aims to bring SNAP card security up to credit card standards
Security standards for SNAP cards have not kept pace with industry advancements, lawmakers say.
Artificial Intelligence
House Oversight leaders introduce government AI transparency bill
This isn’t the first proposal that would require agencies to notify individuals when government decisions are influenced by AI.
Cybersecurity
House panel to weigh bill barring data brokers from making transfers to foreign rivals
The measure, backed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s leaders, considers similar data types listed in a recently signed data security executive order.
Digital Government
Lawmaker proposes strict transparency regime for GSA’s tech service
The new legislation comes in response to an ongoing House Oversight and Accountability Committee investigation into what Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, described as an “unaccountable organization.”
Digital Government
CISA is still maintaining radio silence with social media as Super Tuesday kicks off
The lack of communication stems from an ongoing Supreme Court case that one top senator says Biden administration lawyers have been “too timid” in addressing.
Policy
VA budget bill maintains EHR funding but imposes additional ‘reset’ oversight
The bipartisan FY24 budget package allocates over $1.3 billion for the agency’s new electronic health record system but makes 25% of that funding contingent on enhanced transparency around VA’s ongoing EHR “program reset.”
Emerging Tech
Warner, Blackburn team up to reestablish U.S. leadership in international tech standards
New bipartisan legislation would ask NIST to help the U.S. establish a stronger international presence in setting emerging technology standards.
Acquisition
GSA officials have ‘fundamental disagreements’ with OIG in legality of Chinese camera purchases, per House committee
The agency’s procurement of Owl Labs cameras as part of a pilot program came under scrutiny in January.
Artificial Intelligence
Senate committees to start marking up AI bills soon, senator says
One of the Republican members of the bipartisan AI working group estimated that major Senate committees will begin marking up AI-related legislation “in March or April.”
Artificial Intelligence
Congressional Black Caucus launches AI Policy Series spotlighting discrimination
The new series of discussions hosted by the House’s Congressional Black Caucus will focus on ensuring AI systems are working for, not against, Black communities.
Policy
Civil liberties groups urge Congress to keep 702 measures out of upcoming funding votes
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire on April 19 unless reauthorized by Congress.
Artificial Intelligence