Ideas

Wrap Up the CHIPS Act

While authorization for legislation to incentivize domestic semiconductor production was passed over a year ago, the funding has yet to be approved.

Cybersecurity

House Panel Passes RANSOMWARE Act to Get FTC Reports on Cross-Border Work

The Energy and Commerce subcommittee also forwarded a bipartisan privacy and data security bill to the full committee but—lacking support from Senate leadership—that legislation appears dead in the water.

Policy

Experts Call for More Chief Customer Officers in Government

Witnesses told Senate lawmakers that customer experience practitioners need representation within key federal agencies.

Cybersecurity

Big Tech Pushes for Harmonized Global Policy Amid Emerging Regulations from Allies

The Information Technology Industry Council is maintaining its call for a voluntary approach as Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe all signal strict new cybersecurity requirements.

Digital Government

President Biden Nominates OSTP Director

If confirmed, Dr. Arati Prabhakar would serve as the president’s chief science advisor.

Ideas

Closing the Gap on Cyber Policy by Focusing on FISMA

When it comes to federal cybersecurity policy, the executive branch is far ahead of Congress.

Artificial Intelligence

AI is ‘No Magical Shortcut’ FTC Says in Fighting Disinformation Online

The Federal Trade Commission sent a report to Congress detailing limitations artificial intelligence has in regulating disinformation and harmful online content.

Policy

Government Leaders: Export Controls, Public-Private Partnerships Key To Safeguarding U.S. Tech Development

Reps. Jim Himes and Brad Wenstrup joined Commerce Undersecretary Alan Estevez talking about the national security implications hinging on the U.S.’s leadership in emerging tech innovation.

Digital Government

Former DOD Cyber Official Loses bid for Congress Despite Trump’s Backing

Katie Arrington, who led a Defense Department push to bring 300,000 contractors into compliance with cyber hygiene policies, lost her race to oust a Republican incumbent in a South Carolina congressional primary.

Digital Government

Big Tech Clashes with Brick and Mortar Group over Liability in Privacy Hearing

A similar dynamic is playing out in cybersecurity policy as the government drafts new contract language for cloud service providers.

Policy

Bipartisan House Reps. Call for Renewal of Tariff Moratorium on Digital Goods

As leaders convene for the World Trade Organization’s Ministerial Conference, Congress asked U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to renew the moratorium on tariffs on electronic transmission.

Emerging Tech

Crypto Industry Insiders Support Better Public-Private Collabs To Prevent Major Ransomware Attacks

A panel of leaders in the digital asset industry discussed helpful legal frameworks to prevent illegal crypto financing while supporting market activity. 

Modernization

Senators Call on Biden to Prioritize Procuring Tech, Staff for Large Scale Declassification

Officials at the National Archives say agencies could be using artificial intelligence to more efficiently process a tremendous backlog of appeals.

Emerging Tech

Latest Crypto Regulation Bill Defines Stablecoins and Pushes For Interagency Cooperation

More bipartisan legislation seeks to regulate digital assets in the U.S. and offers a widely-encompassing framework for buying and selling cryptocurrency.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers Want to Know How Much Bad Software Costs DOD

When the House Armed Services Committee begins its markup process of the annual defense authorization bill on June 8, look out for a provision asking the Pentagon to account for wasted money and lost productivity caused by poorly performing software.

Digital Government

Bipartisan Bill Establishes All-Encompassing Federal Data Privacy Standards

The American Data Privacy and Protection Act stands to improve American users’ data privacy and offers federal regulatory power.

Digital Government

Dems Demand Amazon Comply With Congressional Investigation on Labor Practices

Several Democratic lawmakers are furious Amazon has not handed over documents it sought in March.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers Debate Government Sanctioned Digital Currency

Fed Board of Governors Vice Chair Lael Brainard said stablecoins could work with CBDCs, but focus will shift to research and cybersecurity protections.

Cybersecurity

Senate Homeland Clears Bill to Avoid Conflicts of Interest in Federal Contracting

A hearing the committee held leading up to the bill’s markup focused on a shortage of procurement officials in the federal workforce, which an industry witness said could be addressed if it weren’t for inflexible ethics rules.