People
House rule change puts feds at risk of job and pay cuts
The one-year revival of the Holman Rule in the House gives lawmakers the authority to reduce the federal workforce or cut employee pay legislatively.
Cybersecurity
EPA looks to VA for new CISO
Sean Kelley, a deputy CIO at the Department of Veterans Affairs, will lead IT security at the Environmental Protection Agency.
Cybersecurity
Exit Interview: Trevor Rudolph
The former Office of Management and Budget lead on CyberStat and other civilian agency cybersecurity issues sounds off on Congress, the fabled sprint and the new federal CISO role.
Modernization
Email management deadline looms
Agencies have until Dec. 31 to manage their email records in electronic format, and abandon antiquated print-to-file methods. Not all of them are going to make it.
Digital Government
Obama signs bill clarifying IG authority
At the close of his administration, President Obama signed into law a measure that specifies access for inspectors general to agency information.
People
South Carolina congressman is Trump's pick for OMB director
Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), a fiscal hawk and founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, is President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget.
Cybersecurity
Obama: 'We can't tell people what to do' on cyber
At a White House press conference, President Obama addressed ongoing cybersecurity vulnerabilities amid a larger discussion of Russia's role in hacking Democratic targets during the 2016 election.
Digital Government
SEC's open data rule could come before end of Obama administration
Open data advocates may get a long sought after change to data standards in filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
People
GSA in the crosshairs on Trump lease
House Democrats and others say that President-elect Donald Trump will be in breach of his lease on the Old Post Office when he takes office, but the General Services Administration is not taking a position for now.
Modernization
IG: VA wasted more than $7M in poorly-planned tech refresh
Technology buyers at the Department of Veterans Affairs wasted more than $7 million in software licenses and hardware in an uncoordinated tech refresh, according to the agency's internal watchdog.
Digital Government
No government shutdown as Senate passes funding bill
With less than two hours remaining on the current federal appropriation, the Senate voted to keep the government funded through April 28.
Acquisition
Will Trump make federal IT great again?
A business school professor who studies IT spending is hopeful about the prospects for a federal tech refresh under unified government.
People
Civil service changes pass in NDAA, while Trump plans workforce moves
The annual defense bill passed Congress with a few provisions that impact the federal workforce. Advisors to President-elect Trump say more changes to federal employment could be on the horizon.
Modernization
$9 billion price tag likely dooms MGT Act
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementation of the Modernizing Government Technology Act will cost $9 billion over five years.
Digital Government
Can a Hollywood techie grow government's innovation shop?
The software whiz behind Pixar's movies Rob Cook surprised even himself by coming out of a "failed retirement" to take a top technology job at the General Services Administration.
Cybersecurity
Trump selects retired Marine general to head DOD
President-elect Donald Trump wants Gen. James Mattis (ret.) as his secretary of Defense.
Cybersecurity
NARA names classification chief
Mark Bradley will head the Information Security and Oversight Office, responsible for governmentwide classification policy.
Cybersecurity
Obama names first-ever independent NSA watchdog
In 2014, Congress elevated the inspector general post at the National Security Agency to a presidential appointment. More than two years later, someone has finally been named to the job.
Cybersecurity
McCaul wants to tighten oversight of DHS
Entering his final term as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul hopes to sharpen his panel's legislative control over DHS.
Modernization