Emerging Tech

Tech Giants Will Brief Lawmakers on the Spread of Terrorist Content Online

Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Microsoft will be asked about how the New Zealand shooter’s video spread so quickly.

Digital Government

Inside GAO’s Plan to Make Congress More Tech-Savvy

The new Science and Technology Assessment and Analytics group aims to prep lawmakers for big decisions on artificial intelligence, privacy and 5G.

Cybersecurity

House VA Committee Looks into Trolls Targeting Veterans Groups

Someone’s spreading misinformation to veterans and their families and Congress wants to know who.

Artificial Intelligence

Hurd: Congress Must Make Sure Artificial Intelligence Maintains Western Values

Lawmakers need to pave the way for AI by encouraging widespread 5G adoption, Rep. Will Hurd said.

Digital Government

House Lawmakers Join Push for Federal Contractor Back Pay

After a push from senators, 48 House members urged the House Appropriations Committee to include back pay for federal contractors in funding legislation.

Emerging Tech

Facial Recognition Bill Would Ban Companies From Sharing Your Face Without Consent

A bipartisan bill introduced this week would strengthen consumer protections around facial recognition technology.

Policy

Lawmakers Want to Protect Security Clearances from Politics

A bill introduced in the Senate would prevent federal leaders from revoking clearances as “retaliation for political activities.”

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Revive Bill to Secure Agencies’ Connected Devices

This time the bill has bipartisan support in both houses of Congress.

Modernization

House Veterans Affairs is Having Trouble Hiring Tech Experts

The group’s struggle reflects the growing shortage of tech talent on Capitol Hill.

Digital Government

Lawmaker Reintroduces Bill to Boost Morale at Homeland Security

Similar legislation to improve engagement at the troubled department passed the House in 2017.

Digital Government

Congress Moves to Ban Discriminatory Advertising on Social Media

Lawmakers also introduced bills to help both vets and the larger U.S. workforce navigate an increasingly tech-centric job market.

Policy

Legislative Hurdle Delays U.S. Space Command Stand-Up

Pentagon can’t move ahead until Congress repeals a provision in the 2019 defense authorization act.

Emerging Tech

Former Staffers: Revive Congress' Office of Technology Assessment Right or Don’t Bother

There is a lot that could go wrong reconstituting Congress’ technology advisory office. But there’s a lot it could do to help, too.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers Demand Answers on Surprise Microphones Inside Google Nest

The group wants Google CEO Sundar Pichai to provide answers—in writing, and in person—on the microphones discovered in Nest products.

Cybersecurity

House Lawmakers Want to Avoid a Patchwork of State Data Privacy Laws

Experts outlined what they would like to see included in a federal data privacy law.

Cybersecurity

Senator to Agencies: What Are You Doing to Secure Health Tech?

Sen. Mark Warner wants to develop a wide-ranging strategy to combat cybersecurity vulnerabilities targeting America’s health care sector.

Cybersecurity

Senator Seeks Input on Health Care Cyber Strategy

A Virginia senator sent letters to health sector leaders for preliminary feedback on what a national strategy should entail.

Digital Government

Congress is Rethinking How to Use the Government’s Cyber Talent

By recruiting specialized teams and rotating assignments, the government could get more out of its cyber workforce, according to lawmakers.

Cybersecurity

DHS ‘Doubling Down’ on Election Security Heading Into 2020

Under Congress’ budget deal, the Homeland Security Department will receive $33 million to combat foreign influence campaigns and defend election security in fiscal 2019.

Digital Government

Latest Spending Deal Includes Almost $20 Billion for IT Programs

The spending bills include multimillion-dollar agency projects and governmentwide funding sources for IT modernization and cybersecurity.