Digital Government

Bill Would Require Frequent Congressional Testimony from Acting Defense and National Security Officials

Trump administration's acting officials "limit congressional oversight of our national security," the measure's sponsor says. 

Digital Government

More Legislation May Be Coming to Bolster the Federal Cyber Workforce

Industry sees focus on education as a path to ending competition over personnel.

Cybersecurity

House Subcommittee Knocking at Amazon’s Door Over Ring Data

The chairman of a House Oversight panel wants a briefing with Amazon officials about the consumer security tool.

Emerging Tech

Senators Call for a Moratorium on Government’s Use of Facial Recognition

Some say it’s a step in the right direction but limitations remain.

Cybersecurity

Coming Cyber Commission Report Loaded with 75 Ways to Improve Security—Plus the Bill Proposals

Key lawmaker highlighted recommendations focused on Congressional reform and a new type of information sharing.

Digital Government

Senator Questions DHS’ Use of Cellphone Location Data for Immigration Enforcement

Sen. Ed Markey wants details on the reported program, including its security practices.

Modernization

New Bipartisan Bill Would Codify GSA’s Centers of Excellence Program

The “light touch” legislation was introduced by Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Mark Meadows, R-N.C.

Cybersecurity

CISA Director Makes Case for Subpoena Power over Internet Service Providers

A key lawmaker pointed to concerns over privacy if the agency could request who’s behind internet addresses.

Modernization

House Passes Bill to Codify—and Improve—GSA's Cloud Security Program

The FedRAMP Authorization Act includes $100 million in additional funding and a requirement to automate the process and force agencies to reuse ATOs.

Cybersecurity

Senate Intel Report: Key Officials Excluded From 2016 Election Response

Committee leaders recommend an integrated response to cyber events and disregard for political affiliations moving forward.

Ideas

Astroturfing Is Bad But It's Not the Whole Problem

The shift to a digital process has made commenting easier yet also inadvertently opened the floodgates to voluminous, duplicative and, yes, even “fake” comments.

Cybersecurity

FBI Director Argues Private Companies Shouldn’t Decide Encryption Debate 

A key lawmaker questioned whether the Justice Department’s position is at odds with the Defense Department’s.

Digital Government

Dating Apps Can Be Dangerous. Congress Is Investigating.

Prompted by press reports, including a recent article by Columbia Journalism Investigations and ProPublica, a House subcommittee announced that it would examine the use of dating apps by minors and the prevalence of sex offenders on such sites.

Digital Government

House Democrats Unveil New $760 Billion Infrastructure Plan

The 19-page proposal recommends tapping existing federal programs to funnel money to infrastructure projects.

Cybersecurity

House Panel Clears Bills to Give CISA Subpoena Power, Retain Leadership

The Homeland Security Department’s newest agency enjoys bipartisan support in shaky times.

Digital Government

Republican-Backed Bill Aims to Address Climate Change and Boost America’s Technological Competitiveness

The 232-page bill proposes to double basic research funding over the next decade.

Ideas

C-SPAN Is So Hot Right Now

This is not a sign of a government working well.

Policy

Congress Passes Bill to Spur Veterans’ Participation in STEM Fields

The STEM workforce gap is real. Lawmakers say veterans are a key to help close it.

Policy

Bill Would Reform NSA Surveillance Program

Bipartisan legislation could curtail long-running National Security Agency data collection efforts.

Artificial Intelligence

Senator Demands Answers on Facial Recognition Tool that Could Pose ‘Chilling’ Privacy Risks

Sen. Ed Markey said he’s particularly troubled about law enforcement officials’ access to the app.