Digital Government

New bill aims to simplify federal grant applications, boost funding for underserved communities

The Streamlining Federal Grants Act was introduced by a bipartisan trio of senators to build upon a 2019 law.

Cybersecurity

Bipartisan FISMA update looks to tweak cyber incident reporting rules for agencies

The legislation proposes new requirements for disclosing cyberattacks, assigns guidance for A.I.-enabled cyber, codifies the Federal CISO role and more.

Cybersecurity

NDAA amendment calls for DOD, DHS to assess cyber threats to border security

Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, said his proposal “sets a plan to prevent cyber incidents by reducing the risk of future cyber vulnerabilities” in key border technologies.

Policy

Congress must use budget power to move tech firms out of Beijing’s orbit, former lawmaker says

Former congressman and Under Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy said lawmakers need to be focused “like a bulldog on a bone” when ensuring the U.S. is positioned to compete with China’s tech ambitions.

Policy

Democrats call YouTube ‘extremely irresponsible’ for election misinformation rollback

YouTube’s decision to stop removing false content about previous U.S. elections “threatens to weaken our democracy,” several top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee said in a letter to the platform’s leaders. 

Digital Government

Will Hurd, former GOP lawmaker with tech expertise, announces White House bid

The three-term Texas congressman was the lead sponsor of the law that created the Technology Modernization Fund.

Modernization

VA official expects Oracle Cerner to deliver on $10B EHR contract despite layoffs

While lawmakers and officials expect work to continue as planned, an insider warned that layoffs at Oracle Cerner targeted a clinical team that worked to implement new electronic health record systems.

Artificial Intelligence

Schumer says 'don't count Congress out' when it comes to regulating AI

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said Congress needs “to invent a new process” to effectively balance the dangers of artificial intelligence with the capabilities of these emerging technologies.

Modernization

House panel zeros out TMF funding for 2024 fiscal year

House appropriators want to eliminate new funding for the Technology Modernization Fund, which is still flush with cash thanks to a pandemic-era special spending bill.

Artificial Intelligence

Bipartisan bill proposes blue-ribbon panel to address AI risks, regulations

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., is leading the effort to give Congress the expertise it needs to understand and possibly regulate the risks posed by artificial intelligence.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers suggest ‘radical transparency’ as key to shoring up US cyber posture

The lessons of Ukraine argue for increased openness about public and private sector cyber attacks, two congressmen said on Monday.

Cybersecurity

Lawmaker advocates 'all-of-the-above' approach to fix cyber worker shortage

The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s cybersecurity panel said a greater focus on cyber education in K-12 schools could help fill the roughly 700,000 vacant cyber jobs across the country.

Cybersecurity

House cyber panel’s NDAA draft prioritizes commercial tech, expert engagement

Tech- and cyber-focused legislative proposals for the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act would restructure the Pentagon’s internal leadership to emphasize greater engagement with the commercial tech sector.

Artificial Intelligence

Are government decisions being made by AI? Lawmakers want to mandate disclosure

New legislation would also require agencies to have an appeals process for adverse decisions made using automated systems in areas like healthcare or government benefits.

Emerging Tech

White House makes case for renewed Quantum Initiative Act

As funding under the National Quantum Initiative Act is set to expire, OSTP official Charles Tahan outlined several priority areas for the U.S. quantum sciences ecosystem.

Artificial Intelligence

New bill proposes warning labels to AI-generated material

The AI Disclosure Act seeks to combat potential disinformation created using the emerging technology.

Ideas

How AI could take over elections—and undermine democracy

Artificial intelligence could manipulate the masses.

Policy

New bill proposes 'made in China' tags for mobile apps

The legislation would require large online app stores — including Apple’s App Store and Google Play — to disclose the countries where their apps were developed and are currently owned.

Digital Government

BSA taps former chief acquisition officer as new procurement lead

The Software Alliance, also known as BSA, is taking on a new focus on procurement with Jessica Salmoiraghi, formerly of the General Services Administration.