Modernization
House Republicans Seek to Mandate VA's EHR Program Improve or Face Termination
Leading GOP lawmakers on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee introduced legislation to expand oversight over the VA’s new electronic health record system and, if need be, to terminate the program.
Digital Government
Republicans Announce New Congressional Cyber Subcommittee Leadership
A New York Republican is taking over a powerful House Homeland Security subcommittee tasked with overseeing efforts to improve federal network security and the nation’s cyber defense agency.
Policy
GAO Identifies Fraud Risks in FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program
The FCC “may not be able to effectively prevent and detect fraud” in its program that offers low-income households discounts on internet services and connected devices, according to a review by the Government Accountability Office.
Emerging Tech
Legislators Renew Efforts to Protect Consumers from an Eavesdropping Fridge
The reintroduced bill asks the Federal Trade Commission to establish disclosure guidelines for smart devices and appliances that consumers would not expect to be recording them.
Policy
Senator Advocates a Transparency-Based Approach to Social Media Moderation
Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., said such transparency about government moderation requests “does seem to be the best move” for promoting free speech online.
Digital Government
Former Oversight Chair: Republicans Just Want to ‘Investigate and Destroy’
Former Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., decried the direction of her former committee and Republican priorities in the new Congress.
Emerging Tech
NTIA Announces Request for Comment on Intersection of Data and Civil Rights
The head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration said the agency’s inquiry “will help us analyze the outsized consequences that data practices can have on marginalized communities.”
Artificial Intelligence
AI Research Task Force Votes to Send Final Report to Congress, President
The task force’s report details a plan for the AI research resource initiative, including governance, funding, security and ethics on issues like AI bias.
Digital Government
House Oversight Committee Probes GSA Administrator’s Telework
The GOP-led committee is seeking details about Robin Carnahan's telework arrangements.
Policy
Lawmakers Propose a Federal Reserve Corps for Digital Talent
The bipartisan legislation seeks to address the government’s tech and cyber needs by enabling industry professionals to bring their skills and experience to the federal level.
Modernization
Despite Issues, VA’s EHR Deployment Remains Scheduled to Pick Up in Mid-2023
The Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress are continuing to support the rollout of the agency’s new electronic health record system, even as lawmakers remain concerned about the project’s cost and effectiveness.
Ideas
Budget for All: What a Way to Celebrate the Holidays
Congress passed its whole-of-government funding package just before the end of the year.
Artificial Intelligence
Portman Optimistic His Bipartisan Cyber Work Will ‘Carry On’ After Retirement
The tech advocate noted agencies still need good cyber hygiene and anticipates AI to be at the top of the Congressional tech policy agenda.
Policy
How Government is Dealing With Flying Space Junk
Space junk, or orbital debris, has become a topic of increasing interest among several agencies and Congress.
Cybersecurity
The Federal Government is Moving on Memory Safety for Cybersecurity
The issue of how coding languages might support software developers’ management of memory has recently gotten attention from the National Security Council, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Congress.
Digital Government
Senate Reaches Breakthrough and Passes $1.7T Omnibus Funding Bill
Measure now heads to the House ahead of Friday's shutdown deadline.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Highlight Cyber, New Tech and Space in Proposed Spending Bill
The $1.7 trillion omnibus introduced by lawmakers on Tuesday would spur on investments in cutting-edge technologies, cyber defense and space during the 2023 fiscal year.
Modernization
Omnibus Funding Bill Includes $50M for TMF, $90M for Citizen Services Fund
Funding levels for the tech modernization vehicles fell short of Biden administration requests.
Digital Government
Omnibus Spending Bill Includes a Ban of TikTok on Government Devices
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told FCW on Monday that Congress might have more work to do regarding national security implications of popular video-sharing app TikTok in the next session of Congress.
Policy