Author Archive

Edward Graham

Staff Reporter, Nextgov/FCW

Edward Graham
Edward Graham is a technology reporter for Nextgov/FCW, where he reports on national security technologies and policies, the Department of Veterans Affairs and election security issues. He received his master’s degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University in 2016. If you have a tip you'd like to share, Edward can be securely contacted at Grahed.40 on Signal.
Digital Government

Lawmakers propose digital delivery option for GI Bill documents

Bipartisan legislation seeks to provide veterans and their beneficiaries with the ability to receive electronic correspondence about their GI Bill education benefits. 

Modernization

Democrats press Palantir about reported creation of IRS ‘mega-database’

The possible creation of a shareable, governmentwide database of Americans’ personal information would be a “surveillance nightmare,” 10 House and Senate Democrats wrote in a letter to the tech company.

Emerging Tech

T-Mobile is using 5G, drones and AI to help first responders

The provider’s T-Priority 5G network slicing solution aims to give first responders enhanced connectivity services in disaster zones.

Modernization

VA official touts progress on EHR modernization project

The agency is undertaking “a no-fail mission to deliver a Federal EHR at every VA medical center by 2031,” VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence said.

Artificial Intelligence

House bill would task NSA with developing AI security playbook to counter China

Lawmakers want the NSA to develop guidance to help companies better protect the development of their advanced AI technologies from threat actors.

Modernization

Draft proposal looks to put EHR reform measures back on the table

Draft legislation put forward by GOP members of the House Veterans’ Affairs panel reconsiders EHR oversight and governance proposals that were removed from the Dole Act before it was signed into law in January.

Artificial Intelligence

Democrats raise alarm over AI-driven contract cuts at VA

Connecticut Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said DOGE’s use of an AI tool resulted in the “wholesale slashing” of VA contracts.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers warn that UK’s Apple backdoor demand ‘sets a dangerous precedent’

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, said "forcing companies to circumvent their own encrypted services in the name of security is the beginning of a dangerous slippery slope."

Artificial Intelligence

Salesforce’s AI agents receive FedRAMP high authorization

Salesforce said that its Agentforce platform “has built-in trust standards and a unified approach.”

People

DOJ CIO announces departure from agency

Melinda Rogers said May 30 was her last day with the Department of Justice.

Artificial Intelligence

House AI Task Force member optimistic Congress will move on group’s recs later this year

The bipartisan House AI Task Force’s recommendations provide “a great running start” for Congress to establish guardrails around the safe use of emerging technologies, the lawmaker said.

Digital Government

VA now has ‘100% visibility’ into its software license inventory, official says

Jeff VanBemmel, director of end user operations at VA’s Office of Information and Technology, told lawmakers that the department’s total inventory of software licenses includes 4,433 commercial off-the-shelf products and another 224 software-as-a-service offerings.

Modernization

House bill wants VA to pilot cloud-based medical supply management system

The bipartisan proposal from Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., would direct the agency to test the system at one VA medical facility before potentially expanding it out further.

Policy

Scientific research needs more precise federal funding, White House tech leader says

“To get more bang for America's research bucks, we need to enhance the creativity and precision of our funding,” OSTP Director Michael Kratsios said.

Modernization

VA hopes to use next year’s EHR rollouts to gain momentum for faster deployments

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said VA is hoping to deploy its new EHR system at 20 to 25 new medical facilities in 2027 as it pursues an accelerated deployment timeline.

Cybersecurity

DHS head says she’s alarmed CISA doesn't know more about Salt Typhoon hacks

“The thing that has alarmed me the most about CISA is the lack of information that they have, the lack of solutions that they have, and how they protect our critical infrastructure,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told members of the House Homeland Security Committee.

Modernization

Consolidating IT systems can lead to over $100M in cost savings, GAO finds

The Government Accountability Office’s latest duplication and overlap report said improved federal IT portfolio management could achieve such savings “by reducing duplicative IT investments and halting or terminating investments, when appropriate.”

Digital Government

Senate Dems press HHS over cuts to suicide lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth program

A leaked HHS FY26 budget proposal includes a measure to defund the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services pilot program.

Modernization

Trump administration unveils multi-billion dollar plan to modernize air traffic control system

“To do it in three or four years, we need all of the money up front,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said about the White House’s push to upgrade antiquated air traffic control technologies across the U.S.

People

USPTO’s emerging tech and AI head to leave agency

Jerry Ma, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s director of emerging technology and chief artificial intelligence officer, said the Trump administration “will likely preside over the most consequential period thus far in AI's history.”