Emerging Tech
Bill Would Ban Facial Recognition in Public Housing
The proposal would also direct the Housing and Urban Development Department to conduct a comprehensive report on how the tech is used, why and its impact on tenants.
Cybersecurity
Debate Heats Up as Senator Prepares to Introduce Incident-Reporting Legislation
Reviews are in on draft legislation Sen. Mark Warner’s office has circulated and plans to update for introduction after the holiday break.
Digital Government
VA Secretary: Changes Coming to Electronic Health Records Program
Secretary Denis McDonough just completed a months-long strategic review of the multibillion-dollar EHR modernization program.
Emerging Tech
House Bill Would Require Government to Drastically Modernize Digital ID Verification
It could be considered by multiple committees.
Digital Government
Britney Spears’ Testimony Spurs Lawmakers to Question Federal Guardianship Data
They asked the Justice and Health and Human Services departments to provide more information about the legal arrangements.
Modernization
VA Is Asking Congress for Fewer IT Dollars in 2022 But Plans to Spend More Than in 2021
The Transformational Fund has been marinating for five years and is ready to supplement the agency’s IT spending.
Cybersecurity
House Panel Approves DHS Bill with ‘Historic’ Funding for Cybersecurity
The bill would increase the budget for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency from both the previous year’s and the president’s request for fiscal year 2022.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Look to Give NTIA More Cybersecurity Responsibilities
During a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, witnesses drew attention to the absence of a permanent leader at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Emerging Tech
White House, NIH Directors Weigh in on Proposed Health and Human Services Research Arm
The proposed $6.5 billion Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health will need a very specific work culture and an inspiring first leader to be successful, key officials said.
Cybersecurity
Bill Would Create Cyber Workforce Training Programs at CISA and VA
The two programs would look to increase the pool of cybersecurity experts for the public and private sectors, but with a focus on preparing trainees for federal jobs.
Digital Government
Legislation Would Keep Inspectors General Active During Government Shutdowns
The bipartisan bill would amend the Inspectors General Act of 1978.
Cybersecurity
Key Lawmaker Calls on Pentagon Leadership to Act on Cyber Certification Program
Members of the House Small Business Committee heard complaints of poor communication and coordination from the department on implementation of a controversial third-party auditing process.
Digital Government
Top Republican Calls for IG Investigations Into Feds’ Telework Productivity During Pandemic
An oversight subcommittee ranking member, Jody Hice, blasted the White House for seeking a permanent increase in federal remote work without first seeking more data about the impact on agency missions.
Digital Government
House Dems Propose $50M for Tech Modernization Fund in Fiscal 2022
The draft 2022 Financial Services and General Government funding bill includes millions for IT modernization at Treasury, GSA, OPM and more.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Propose $50 Million Federal Program to Support Rural Patients
If passed, a new bill could increase telehealth and remote patient monitoring in places with limited broadband access.
Cybersecurity
Bipartisan Bill Bolsters FCC Motion to Ban Suspect Chinese Telecom Equipment
The Federal Communications Commission is already set to vote on a notice of proposed rulemaking on its equipment authorization program.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Renew Effort to Ban Federal Agencies from Using Facial Recognition Tech
The reintroduced bill would prohibit agencies from using biometric tech and block federal funds for biometric surveillance systems.
Cybersecurity
Key Senator Wants Biden to Raise SolarWinds in International Negotiations
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner said espionage campaigns like the SolarWinds hack merit discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Renew Calls for Feds to Explore Tech to Protect American Consumers
Blockchain, digital tokens and artificial intelligence are of interest.
Artificial Intelligence