Artificial Intelligence
Senate Bills Aim to Grow Federal Tech-Ready Workforce—and the Government’s Transparency About its AI Use
Lawmakers moved to operationalize suggestions made by a Congressionally-mandated AI commission.
Cybersecurity
Pipeline Security Act Reintroduced in House
More than a dozen lawmakers have cosponsored the legislation following the Colonial Pipeline attack.
Digital Government
Senate Panel Advances Measures to Reskill Feds, Ban Their TikTok Use
OPM would oversee an agency-led effort to get federal workers into new jobs.
Cybersecurity
Federal Agencies Say ‘No Evidence’ Hackers Affected Colonial’s Operational Technology
A leading GOP lawmaker is pressuring CISA to release data on the agency’s pipeline cybersecurity initiative.
Policy
Senate Committee Clashes over Sweeping Election Reform Bill
Lawmakers failed to advance the For the People Act out of committee, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to bring the bill to the floor anyhow.
Cybersecurity
Senators Cite Colonial Pipeline Hack in Calling for Cyber Response and Recovery Fund
A hearing on federal agencies’ response to the SolarWinds hack drew attention to communication issues, both with the private sector and within the government.
Digital Government
Coalition Urges Congress to Boost Funding for Census Modernization
A group of Census experts and data users are asking appropriators to provide $2 billion in funding to the Census Bureau in fiscal 2022.
Cybersecurity
Cyberspace Solarium Commissioners Concerned Over Security of Nation’s Water Supply
Having succeeded in passing a number of their recommendations through the last National Defense Authorization Act, the commissioners plan to embrace an oversight role as they push for more new laws.
Digital Government
Experts Examine Accountability, Transparency Improvements in Government
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing discussed recent proposals to strengthen the authority of inspectors general and place some limits on acting officials.
Emerging Tech
Senators Introduce Bill to Increase U.S. Influence on Tech Standards-Setting Processes
The bill would create an Office of Science and Technology task force to come up with a strategy for increasing participation in standards settings bodies and counter China’s sway.
Cybersecurity
White House Endorses Inclusion of Cybersecurity in Water Infrastructure Bill
A recent attempt by hackers to poison the water supply in a Florida town prompted calls for more resources.
Cybersecurity
House Solarium Commission Members Press for More CISA Funding
“Congress was right to give the agency new authorities that allow it to better defend our interests in cyberspace, but without requisite funding, we’re setting CISA up for failure," the lawmakers wrote.
Cybersecurity
Senators Introduce Fresh Slate of Cybersecurity-Centered Bills
A couple would codify recommendations made by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Propose More Than $100B for Federal Tech-Driving Investments
The Senate is set to consider the bipartisan Endless Frontier Act in the coming weeks.
Policy
House Bill Would Direct Agencies to Examine Sexual Harassment in STEM
Those who introduced it intend to help pave the way for new federal policies.
Modernization
Special Report: The Evolution of the FITARA Scorecard
An in-depth look at an important oversight tool Congress uses to track agencies’ modernization efforts.
Digital Government
Bill Would Force Intelligence, Law Enforcement to Obtain Warrants Before Buying Americans’ Data
As with other tech companies, agencies would have to obtain court orders to compel data brokers to turn over information.
Emerging Tech
Bipartisan Bills Aim to Expand Federal Quantum Research and Grow Future Workforce
The U.S. must keep an edge in this increasingly competitive realm, according to the lawmakers who introduced the legislation.
Modernization
Connolly, Hice Announce Bill to Improve Performance Planning at FITARA Hearing
The Performance Enhancement Reform Act would require greater collaboration among agency officials and more detailed descriptions of resources required to meet goals.
Emerging Tech