Artificial Intelligence
Cruz unveils new AI framework as blueprint for future legislation
Released in conjunction with the SANDBOX Act, Senator Ted Cruz’s new AI Policy Framework offers a new potential playbook for implementing artificial intelligence policy.
Artificial Intelligence
Draft bill from Ted Cruz would establish a federal AI sandbox in OSTP
The federal regulatory artificial intelligence sandbox program would be set up within the Office of Science and Technology Policy, offering waivers from existing rules.
Artificial Intelligence
Psychology experts call for AI age controls and chatbot tailoring
Experts testified before Congress about their concerns with artificial intelligence’s presence in mental health practices, particularly among adolescents and children.
Emerging Tech
US risks losing space dominance to China without NASA support, experts say
Continuing the space agency’s programs “is a matter of national security,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said during a congressional hearing.
Cybersecurity
House panel advances bill to extend bedrock cyber info-sharing law
Some Republicans want to ensure there’s language that would prevent the nation’s core cyberdefense agency from engaging in alleged “censorship” of Americans’ free speech.
Cybersecurity
Wyden calls for review of US court systems’ cyber posture after case system hack
Since the incident, several district courts have instructed filers not to submit sealed documents, amid risks that the systems protecting them may not be secure.
People
Lawmakers look to ease educational requirements for federal cyber workforce
New legislation from Reps. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., and Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, attempts to expand the U.S. government’s pool of cyber talent by promoting skills-based hiring.
Digital Government
Veterans Experience Office codified under new law
The office was created in 2015 to gather feedback from veterans and their families that would help VA improve its services, although it was never formally established within the department.
Artificial Intelligence
Senators call for robust security protocols over US-owned AI datacenters
As the Trump administration drafts its new AI export control regime, two senators wrote to the Secretaries of Commerce and State asking for officials to incentivize companies to keep their AI infrastructure within the U.S.
Cybersecurity
Expiring cyber information-sharing law puts US maritime infrastructure at risk, experts warn
A congressional probe last year found Chinese‑made technology embedded in many U.S. ports, raising fears of espionage and sabotage.
Policy
Democrat asks agency watchdogs to tally the cost of DOGE
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is estimating that the efficiency project has racked up around $21.7 billion.
People
Senate panel advances CISA director nominee to full Senate floor vote
Sean Plankey may still have to contend with a hold from Senator Ron Wyden over objections to the cyber defense agency not releasing a 2022 report on telecommunications industry vulnerabilities. The agency said it plans to release it.
Cybersecurity
CISA to release telecom security report as its director nominee nears confirmation
The 2022 report, which has not been made publicly available, has been used as leverage by Senator Ron Wyden to hold Sean Plankey from being confirmed as director of CISA.
Policy
California lawmakers urge Trump admin to halt cuts to national labs
Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, along with Rep. Zoe Lofgren, said budget cuts to national laboratories have already led to layoffs, with some other labs warning that “they may need to start laying off thousands of scientists and technical staff in the near future.”
Digital Government
SSA watchdog to audit agency’s performance metrics
Getting better data is essential to continued oversight, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told reporters Wednesday.
People
OMB wants to break down barriers for CIOs, White House official says
Republicans also included a line in their funding bill to reiterate that CIOs should be involved in agencies' tech budgets.
Artificial Intelligence
Resuming NVIDIA’s AI chip sales to China could weaken US leadership, lawmaker says
House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, R-Mich., said Beijing-focused export controls should be designed to keep China’s military “from leapfrogging ahead with U.S. hardware.”
Cybersecurity
Operational tech is ‘underprioritized’ in cyberdefense, experts tell Congress
Witnesses' calls for better investment in securing such systems come just two months before a key cybersecurity information-sharing law is set to expire.
Digital Government
Lawmakers introduce bill to digitize government permitting
Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., called the paper-based permitting process “an archaic waste of time.”
People