Digital Government
10 Vendors Receive Over Half of VA's IT Contracts, Drawing Lawmaker Concern
A Government Accountability Office representative told House lawmakers that Veterans Affairs’ IT obligations have been “increasingly concentrated with a small group of vendors.”
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Want DHS to Assess National Security Risks of Doxing
Proposed legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to “evaluate risks posed to national security and civilian privacy” by the online release of individuals’ personal information.
Artificial Intelligence
Senators Introduce Bill to Create Digital and AI Oversight Agency
The legislative proposal would establish a so-called Federal Digital Platform Commission to regulate online services, including those that offer content “primarily generated by algorithmic processes.”
Cybersecurity
Bill Bolstering Satellite Cybersecurity Advances in Senate
The legislation was introduced in early May.
Cybersecurity
House Panel Advances Bills to Boost CISA’s Oversight of Open Source Software, Cyber Training
The two measures, which passed the committee with bipartisan support, would give CISA authority across DHS and the federal government.
Emerging Tech
Larger NASA Budget Essential to Beat China to Lunar Resources, Administrator Says
The agency’s requested budget will help to continue missions like Artemis and improve space operations and safety.
Artificial Intelligence
AI Industry Leaders Encourage 'Critical' Congressional Regulation of Emerging Tech
With more disruptive artificial intelligence technologies under development, private sector leadership discussed the pathways to regulation in the AI sector.
Artificial Intelligence
Senate Bill Looks to Train AI-Ready Workforce, Focus on Risk Mitigation
The bipartisan legislation, introduced last week, aims to help public sector employees catch up with advancing AI technologies.
Artificial Intelligence
Proposed Law Would Create Responsible Emerging Tech Leaders at Agencies
The bill would require a senior official at each relevant agency to oversee technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum and biotechnology to ensure responsible usage.
Cybersecurity
Voting Machines Must Be Test Hacked for Certification, Under Proposed Bill
The new law would require cybersecurity penetration testing as part of voting systems’ approval process.
Modernization
House Lawmakers Lambast EHR Rollout Over Pharmacy Problems
Both witnesses and lawmakers agreed that the Oracle Cerner EHR system at its current state is not satisfactory—but disagreed over how to fix it.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI CEO to Testify Before Senate as Congress Considers Legislation
OpenAI is the parent company of ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence tool gaining in popularity.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Strengthen DHS Counter-Drug Efforts
A central part of the legislation aims to improve efforts to collect and analyze data on illicit drug seizures.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Reintroduce Legislation to Bolster Satellite Cybersecurity
The bipartisan proposal directs CISA to provide commercial satellite owners and operators with more resources and recommendations to improve their cyber protections.
Artificial Intelligence
House Bill Mandates Disclosure of AI-Generated Content in Political Ads
The legislation follows the Republican National Committee’s release of an entirely AI-generated video last week.
Emerging Tech
Public-Private Partnerships will be Key in National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization
The 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act needs a second authorization to continue the federal investment into critical quantum information technologies.
Digital Government
Permanent Funding for VA’s Tech Training Program Heads to House Floor
VA’s VET-TEC pilot ran out of funding last week, but lawmakers on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee have approved bipartisan legislation that would permanently reauthorize the program.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Tackle Criminal and Terrorist Crypto Activities
The companion House and Senate bills will create an independent working group to address terrorism and illicit financing on digital platforms.
Cybersecurity
How Tax Credits Could Present Near-Term Motivation for More Secure Devices
As federal officials call for tech firms to take more responsibility for the security of their products, some members of Congress and industry voices have highlighted the potential of cyber investment tax credits as an incentive.
Digital Government