Exclusive Digital Government

Coming cyber executive order includes a push to mobile drivers licenses

The draft order does not, however, tackle the full breadth of actions that were expected from a promised identity executive order that has yet to materialize.

Digital Government

Unemployment isn’t recession-ready — but it’s getting better, says acting Labor secretary

Julie Su, the acting Department of Labor secretary, has often been scrutinized for her role in California during the pandemic. She sat down with Nextgov/FCW to talk about unemployment four years later.

Policy

SNAP reimbursements cut from Trump-backed spending proposal

Although the future of the Republican bill is uncertain, the stopgap measure released Thursday does not include reimbursements for people whose federal food benefits are skimmed.

Digital Government

SNAP theft reimbursements could end for many without congressional action by Friday

Senators are also urging the Agriculture Department to speed up its rulemaking around card security that could help prevent the problem.

Digital Government

Republican lawmakers ask Trump to kill IRS Direct File

The new program intended to enable free, online tax filing directly with the government has garnered controversy and praise since its inception.

Modernization

Ramaswamy cites legacy tech and fraud as early DOGE priorities

Department of Government Efficiency Co-Chair Vivek Ramaswamy called IT modernization “low-hanging fruit,” but reaping cost savings will take up-front investment — and time.

Digital Government

Trump signals new direction for IRS as he announces atypical plan to replace its leadership

The agency is mid-transformation thanks to an unprecedented cash infusion, but those efforts are now in doubt.

Acquisition

House passes agency software licensing bill

Saving on software licensing appears to also be on the radar of the new DOGE caucus.

Modernization

Experts recommend using TMF to focus on product — not project — delivery

The memo is one of several “Day One” ideas for the incoming Trump administration from the Federation of American Scientists.

Digital Government

Agencies see record reduction in improper payments in fiscal 2024 

The improper payment rate for fiscal year 2024 was 3.97%. The last time that number dipped below 4% was in 2013.

Digital Government

Trump’s first White House debated the role of USDS. What will Trump 2.0 do?

The Office of Management and Budget led an effort to assess USDS — even whether it should exist — during the twilight days of the Trump administration. With another Trump White House incoming, the question of what’s next for the government’s digital SWAT team looms.

Modernization

Education launches 2025-26 FAFSA following weeks of testing

The public release of the online form follows a delayed and glitchy version released last year.

People

USDS looks for new deputy to lead as Trump administration approaches 

Mina Hsiang, current administrator of the U.S. Digital Service, is expected to leave before the Trump administration takes the helm.

Digital Government

How the federal CIO is prepping for the presidential transition

Cybersecurity, customer experience and effective transition efforts have been top-of-mind for Clare Matorana in the last days of the Biden administration.

People

Major federal IT contracts to remove ‘unnecessary’ degree requirements

The push to focus on skills-based hiring for federal jobs dates back to the first Trump administration. The Biden White House has continued these efforts.