Digital Government

What a Divided Government Could Mean for Tech Policy

Here’s what a split Congress might mean for tech, cybersecurity and governance.

Cybersecurity

NDAA Negotiations Will Determine Success of Several Cyber Solarium Goals

Influence from major industry threatens once again to thwart lawmakers’ attempts to realize their policymaking goals through the annual defense authorization bill.

Digital Government

Two Democrats Have Spelled Out Exactly How They Want Agencies to Improve Services

A pair of House lawmakers wants agencies to allow Americans to spend less time on the phone and filling out paperwork when dealing with government.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers Propose to Address Space Tech in the FY 2023 NDAA

Proposed amendments to the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act spending legislation aim to address issues of space debris, technology and critical infrastructure.

Digital Government

Senators Applaud Intelligence Leader’s Commitment to Declassification Reform

The senators are trying to focus more resources on artificial intelligence and access-control technologies for agencies to appropriately categorize documents in the digital age.

Policy

Lawmakers Question Revolving Door Between Government and Crypto Industry

A group of Democratic lawmakers issued letters to several financial regulatory agencies in a bid to examine the growing trend of former public servants working for digital asset companies.

Cybersecurity

NDAA Amendment Would Establish Veteran-Focused Cyber Training Program

A provision included in House and Senate legislation authorizing Defense Department spending for fiscal year 2023 would allow veterans and military spouses to receive cyber training “at no cost.”

Artificial Intelligence

A Look Into Proposed Tech Amendments for the 2023 NDAA

Hot topics proposed as add-ons to the Defense budget bill included expanded artificial intelligence investment and supply chain independence.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Question How Public Access to Federal Research Will be Achieved 

House Science Committee leaders expressed concern about a lack of detailed guidance in the White House’s August memo that directs federal agencies to make their taxpayer-funded research publicly accessible by the end of 2025.

Cybersecurity

Labor Group Highlights Conflict of Interest Issues in Cyber Workforce Legislation

The federal workers union wrote to senators opposing an amendment to the NDAA that would establish a civilian reserve at CISA.

Digital Government

VA Extends Delay of EHR Rollout Until June 2023 to Address ‘Outstanding Issues’

The Department of Veterans Affairs said additional time is needed to streamline deployment of its new electronic health record system to “make sure it is functioning optimally for veterans.”

Cybersecurity

Senators’ Plan to Secure Open Source Software Involves Agencies Using More of It

The discovery of exploitable weaknesses in Log4j is resurfacing a 6-year-old push to save taxpayers money by calling on agencies to embrace open-source code.

Emerging Tech

US Must Proactively Participate in International AI Standards-Setting, Officials Warn

Maintaining the country’s leadership in artificial intelligence hinges on contributions to international technology standards, as experts advocate diversity in feedback.

Policy

FCC’s Proposed Change to Orbital Debris Rule Draws Lawmaker Worry

The leaders noted that coordination in this area is important, and the agency’s change could cause confusion.

Cybersecurity

Senate Legislation to Secure Open Source Software Relies on Transparency Initiative

Success would depend to a significant degree on whether agencies require vendors of information and communications technology to provide a software bill of materials with their products and services.

Modernization

Bipartisan Senate Bill Aims to Safeguard Open Source Software

The Securing Open Source Software Act would task the Office of Management and Budget with issuing guidance around the secure usage of open source software and give new oversight responsibilities to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Digital Government

Senate Confirms New White House Science and Tech Advisor in Historic Vote

Dr. Arati Prabhakar is the first woman, immigrant or person of color to serve as director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Cybersecurity

Industry Objections Spur Changes to Cybersecurity Provisions in Defense Bill  

Key members of the House and Senate are altering proposals for identifying systemically important critical infrastructure and securing the software supply chain.