Modernization
Pentagon’s termination of MyTravel program receives bipartisan criticism
The Pentagon’s reasons for reverting back to its legacy Defense Travel System after seven months “don’t add up,” according to Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.
Artificial Intelligence
Scaling and talent development dominate Senate’s AI-focused NDAA amendments
The upper chamber’s draft of the NDAA looks to regulate and incorporate AI systems in federal operations, broadly helmed by a team of bipartisan senators.
Artificial Intelligence
Biden: New AI agreement will 'shepherd' responsible innovation, but legislation still needed
President Joe Biden made remarks following the announcement of new private sector AI accords, but members of Congress from both parties agreed with the need to develop regulatory law.
Artificial Intelligence
House Dem sounds alarm about AI in political messaging
Rep. Yvette Clarke says 2024 “will be the first election cycle where AI-generated ads will be an integral part of how we do campaign advertising.”
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.
Artificial Intelligence
Congress ‘doesn’t know what the hell it’s doing‘ in AI regulation, Ted Cruz says
At least one senator believes Congress’ old age is hindering efforts to regulate the new technology.
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