Digital Government
What Federal Employees Might Want to Know Before Blowing the Whistle to Congress
Volume of disclosures rises when congressional oversight dominates the news, watchdog notes in new primer.
Policy
Lawmakers Demand Details on NSA’s Sweeping Phone Surveillance Operations
The Call Detail Record program, which scoops up the phone records of millions of Americans, is set to expire at the end of 2019.
Policy
Contractors Advise Lawmakers on How to Reduce Pain During the Next Shutdown
House Democrats’ field hearing spotlights suffering from the most recent lapse in appropriations as message to colleagues.
Modernization
The Pentagon’s Software Buying Has Been Outdated Since 1987
The Defense Department needs to rethink how it buys and develops software, according to Defense Innovation Board report.
Policy
Senate Reintroduces Federal Agency Customer Experience Act
The bill, which cleared the Senate in 2017 and the House in 2018, again has House sponsors.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Voice Bipartisan Concern Over 'Chaos' at Homeland Security
Top watchdogs also say turnover is hurting the department.
Cybersecurity
Senate Passes Bill to Allow Cyber Talent to Rotate Through Agencies
The bipartisan legislation would allow certain cybersecurity-related personnel to rotate across various federal agencies.
Emerging Tech
FBI’s Facial Recognition Programs Under Fire Over Privacy, Accuracy Concerns
The bureau has largely ignored the Government Accountability Office’s concerns about its use of facial recognition in criminal investigations.
Ideas
New Technology May Soon Require a Dedicated Space Force
Whether a Space Force exists or not, the Pentagon's research arm is looking at space strategically.
Emerging Tech
Should We Give Kids an Internet of Their Own?
Instead of regulating the internet to protect young people, give them a youth-net of their own.
Emerging Tech
Inside One Lawmaker's Proposal for a Privacy Bill of Rights
Sen. Ed Markey’s, D-Mass., sweeping privacy framework would limit the amount of data companies collect on users and require more transparency about how it’s being used.
Policy
GAO Will Pour $15 Million Into New Tech Assessment Office in 2020
The Science and Technology Assessment and Analytics team aims to build lawmakers’ understanding of emerging technologies and weigh in on tech-centric policies.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Curb Algorithmic Bias
The Algorithmic Accountability Act would force companies to check whether their tech is making biased, inaccurate, discriminatory or otherwise unfair decisions.
Digital Government
House Republicans Want FEMA to Answer for Leaking 2.3 Million Americans' Data
Members of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology want a full briefing from FEMA brass no later than April 18.
Digital Government
House Democrats Recommend Zero Money for OPM Reorganization
House Oversight Committee Democrats urged appropriators to effectively block an effort to merge the Office of Personnel Management with the General Services Administration.
Cybersecurity
Senate Bill Promises Retaliation If Russia Again Meddles in Elections
The bill would force the U.S. to sanction Russian industries.
Emerging Tech
114 Lawmakers Push to Fund Clean Energy Research
The group wants $500 million for the Energy Department’s advanced research projects agency, which would be eliminated under the White House’s 2020 budget request.
Modernization
VA Won’t Delay Launch of Private Care Software Tool Despite Reported Flaws
The tech will go live on June 6 even if it’s operating “at 70 percent or 50 percent,” said Secretary Robert Wilkie.
Modernization
After CIO No-Show, Congress Not Confident in VA’s IT Shop
The Veterans Affairs Department earned no goodwill when it declined to testify before a House Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee.
Digital Government