Policy
The Senate Votes for More Stalemate
The defeat of two proposals to reopen the government sent the same sobering message: Congressional lawmakers and President Trump aren’t prepared to end the shutdown.
Digital Government
Chamber of Commerce Says Shutdown has Cost Small Businesses $2.3 Billion
Small government contractors are choosing between laying off employees and going out of business.
Modernization
The House Oversight IT Subcommittee is Dead
The panel’s responsibilities—which include oversight of FITARA and other federal tech initiatives—will be swept up by the Government Operations subcommittee.
Cybersecurity
Senators to WMATA: How Will You Keep Next-Gen Metro Cars Safe from Foreign Tampering?
Four D.C.-area lawmakers are asking WMATA leaders to take supply chain and cybersecurity issues into account when buying the next series of Metro cars.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Set the Stage for the Privacy Debate
Congress also took up bills to upgrade the power grid, combat Chinese tech threats and punish robocallers.
Digital Government
Second Furlough Notice and Another Missed Paycheck Appear Likely for Shutdown Feds
Congress skips town with key deadlines pending for furloughed and excepted federal workers.
Digital Government
Waiting for a Shutdown to End in Disaster
Aides on Capitol Hill fear that a dramatic government failure may be the only thing to force President Trump and the Democrats back to the table.
Digital Government
FCC Chairman Declines to Brief Congress About Location Data Controversy
Lawmakers wanted to hear from the FCC about the recent hot-button issue of mobile carriers selling location data to third parties.
Modernization
House Unanimously Passes Bill to Elevate the Federal CIO
But the Federal CIO Authorization Act still has no Senate counterpart.
Emerging Tech
Lawmaker Asks FCC for Emergency Briefing
The House Energy and Commerce committee chairman wants location data answers, now.
Digital Government
Amid Shutdown, Feds Figure Out Ways to Fund Food Stamp Benefits. For Now.
States have until Jan. 20 to request an early issuance to make sure they receive February SNAP funding.
Digital Government
House Approves Spending Bill With 1.9 Percent Civilian Pay Raise in Latest Attempt to Reopen Government
Measure is the first of four the House plans to take up; President Trump walked out of a meeting with congressional leadership Wednesday after Democrats declined to support his $5.7 billion border wall funding demand.
Podcasts
Critical Update: The New Congress (And a Shutdown)
New leaders mean new priorities—and the partial shutdown is affecting some of those decisions.
Digital Government
Rep. Kelly: Shutdown Hurts Government’s IT Workforce
The shutdown will have long-term consequences on federal agencies’ recruiting and retention efforts, Rep. Robin Kelly said.
Digital Government
The Peaceful Transition of Government Twitter Accounts
House Republicans are taking the fruits of Twitter’s growth with them into the minority.
Policy
Election Security is a Key Part of House Democrats' Reform Bill
H.R. 1 would codify many of the security measures lawmakers have pushed for the last two years.
Modernization
Lawmakers Reintroduce Legislation to Strengthen Federal CIO
The bill would elevate the authority of the federal chief information officer and chief information security officer.
Digital Government
How to End Government Shutdowns, Forever
Congress should stop relying on one-off funding extensions to keep the government running.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Fight Chinese Tech Theft and Supply Chain Threats
The legislation would create a White House office to help the government punch back against economic espionage.
Digital Government