Ideas
The Problem With a ‘Smart’ Border Wall
To resolve Trump’s impasse, many lawmakers have proposed boosting surveillance technology to create a virtual border wall. Is that more humane and effective?
Policy
GAO Urges Congress to Start Moving on a Privacy Law
Researchers recommended lawmakers give regulators more power to write rules and punish the companies that break them.
Ideas
Why Our Government Leaders Must Take the Wheel on Self-Driving Vehicles in 2019—and How They Can Do it
Such vehicles will enable older adults, people with disabilities and people who are housebound to get around with greater ease.
Digital Government
Trump Says He’s ‘Extremely Unhappy’ With Spending Agreement, Still Predicts No Shutdown
Congressional leadership appears on board with the deal, though Trump would not commit to signing it.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Say They Have an Agreement to Avoid Another Shutdown
Negotiators say they have worked out disagreements on border spending, but they still have to win over Trump.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Propose a Rotational Program for Federal Cyber Workers
They also introduced bills to bolster counterterrorism efforts, stop robocallers and keep ZTE in check.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Push for the State Department to Help Secure Foreign Elections
Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Dan Sullivan resurrected a bill that would allow the agency to share information on election threat with foreign countries.
Digital Government
Trump Calls for Unity but Highlights Divisions That Sparked Shutdown
In his state of the union address, the president praised the work of some federal employees, criticized others for misbehavior.
Emerging Tech
27 Groups Call on Congress to Deny ‘Smart Wall’ Funding
Groups are speaking out against a congressional proposal to up spending on surveillance tech on the border.
Modernization
VA’s Health Record Overhaul Could Get Even More Expensive, Officials Say
The agency’s acting deputy secretary called the project’s $16 billion price-tag “an educated guess.”
Ideas
Technology Legislation Slowly Crawling Forward
These bills could benefit the federal government's operations.
Digital Government
Senators Seek Pentagon Reassurance on Department’s Financial Audit
The bipartisan group is worried that the expanded duties of Defense CFO David Norquist could delay reports to Congress.
Digital Government
GPO Has No Disaster Recovery Plan for Its Tech, Watchdog Says
If its IT infrastructure is taken offline, the agency could lose access to critical data.
Digital Government
The Various Plans to Avert Future Government Shutdowns
Lawmakers have a lot of ideas to keep the government running, aside from passing spending bills on time.
Policy
Freshman Lawmaker Will Oversee VA’s Multibillion-dollar EHR Overhaul
Rep. Susie Lee will lead the House Veterans Affairs Technology Modernization subcommittee.
Policy
Wall Funding Remains In Limbo But Both Sides Argue For Border Security Tech
Democrats and Republicans from both chambers of Congress said they want cutting-edge tech patrolling the border but GOP members of the conference committee say they want physical barrier funding, too.
Cybersecurity
Lawmaker: Congress Needs Fewer Committees with Cyber Oversight
Cybersecurity legislation won’t get anywhere if too many groups are weighing in, said Rep. Jim Langevin.
Digital Government
Trump Announces Deal to End Longest-Ever Shutdown — For Now
Congress is expected to quickly pass a new stopgap spending measure to reopen the government through Feb. 15.
Digital Government