Digital Government
'People Are Crying When They Come Into Work:' Unions Protest OPM-GSA Merger
Lawmakers said they will try to amend an appropriations bill to block the acting OPM director from following through on her threat to lay off 150 agency employees.
Cybersecurity
Agencies Are Leaving Sensitive Data Vulnerable to Hackers, Congress Says
Amid growing threats from China, Iran and Russia, most agencies are struggling to put in place even the most basic cybersecurity measures, according to congressional researchers.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is Too Dumb to Fully Police Online Extremism, Experts Say
Algorithms excel at routine tasks, but understanding a post’s context requires a human touch, former Facebook security chief Alex Stamos told lawmakers.
Cybersecurity
Bill Advances to Create Vulnerability Disclosure for Federal Internet of Things
Once established, federal agencies would have to make sure vendors were participating and in compliance before purchasing IoT-capable devices.
Digital Government
House Pushes Forward on Spending Packages That Would Boost Hiring, Block Trump-Backed Reforms
Lawmakers are still negotiating with the White House on overall spending caps.
Artificial Intelligence
Experts Propose Feds Use Sanctions and Cyberweapons to Fight Deepfakes
Both social media companies and the government must play a role in fighting back against hyper-realistic misinformation, experts told the House Intelligence Committee.
Emerging Tech
The ‘Platform’ Excuse Is Dying
For years, tech companies have relied on a rhetorical sleight of hand. It’s not working anymore.
Policy
House Appropriations Package Now Includes Contractor Back Pay
There is still a chance federal contractors unpaid during the 35-day shutdown could get back pay.
Emerging Tech
House Oversight Votes to Secure Connected Devices in Government
The committee approved legislation that would enforce basic security standards for the numerous internet-connected devices used at federal agencies.
Modernization
Congress Questions Leadership of VA Health Record Overhaul
Veterans Affairs officials said their upgraded health record platform will start rolling out in March, but lawmakers worry they might be jumping in too soon.
Digital Government
House Panel Approves 3.1% Pay Raise for Feds in 2020
The bill advanced by the House Appropriations Committee to the House floor Tuesday also would increase funding for a number of civilian agencies.
Cybersecurity
Senators Want to Know If CMS Paid China-Linked Companies for Genetic Testing
Sens. Marco Rubio and Chuck Grassley want more information on how the agency is protecting Americans’ genomic data from foreign entities.
Cybersecurity
DHS Cyber Incident Response Team Gets House Approval
Lawmakers passed legislation that would stand up a permanent team of cyber specialists to help agency and industry recover from digital attacks.
Digital Government
‘Space Force’ Shrinks in House Proposal
A bipartisan amendment would trim several generals from the new space-focused component.
Modernization
House Passes Revamped Bipartisan IRS Reform Bill
The Taxpayer First Act would redesign the agency and boost identity theft protection.
Cybersecurity
OMB Chief: Contractors Need More Time to Cut Ties With Huawei, ZTE
Without the extension, there could be “a dramatic reduction” in the contractors that can legally do business with the government, according to acting OMB Director Russel Vought.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Want Government to Help Workers Prepare for Automation
Senators introduced a bipartisan bill that would require the Labor Department to analyze the impacts of automation and prepare workers for a tech-driven job market.
Policy
Audit: Pentagon Acquisition Reform Requires More Leadership Attention
The Government Accountability Office also flagged a lack of oversight for many of the department's mid-tier programs.
Modernization
VA Expects 'Hiccups,' but an Otherwise Seamless Health Overhaul This Week
Some lawmakers and veterans groups are nervous about VA's implementation process for the new private care program.
Digital Government