Modernization
VA secretary: EHR deployments are ‘going to be done in the right way’
VA Secretary Doug Collins told lawmakers they “have every right to be skeptical” as EHR go-lives resume in April but said the modernization project is back on track.
Artificial Intelligence
Law enforcement is the leading DHS use case for AI
Subagencies like ICE and CBP are leveraging biometric technologies like facial recognition extensively, per the new case inventory.
Policy
Shutdown deal struck after failed Senate vote
Senate Democrats and the White House reached an agreement late Thursday to fund most departments and agencies through Sept. 30 after a previous funding bill was blocked.
People
Trump nominee to lead NSA commits to backing controversial spying law
Lt. Gen. Josh Rudd also promised to prioritize NSA efforts to protect U.S. elections.
Cybersecurity
US developed ‘non-kinetic’ cell ahead of Venezuela mission to push cyber operations
Officials said that cyber capabilities are expected to play a central role in future U.S. military undertakings.
Ideas
Building government resilience in an era of AI-driven cyberattacks
COMMENTARY | As AI reshapes cyber threats, resilience will hinge on speed.
Artificial Intelligence
Bipartisan pair of senators acknowledge need for federal AI standard that accounts for state laws
Sens. Cantwell and Young sound off on the policy requirements the U.S. needs to strengthen its scientific enterprise to win the global AI race.
Digital Government
Senators demand details on DOGE’s data access following revelations of improperly shared SSA data
While Sens. Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., are asking for more information from SSA, Democrats in the lower chamber want to compel the agency to hand it over using a “resolution of inquiry.”
Ideas
Watch for GenAI browsers, purple teaming and evolving AI policy in 2026
COMMENTARY | Government IT leaders cannot afford inaction, especially as AI adoption accelerates.
People
Suspected Chinese spies targeted former State official for Venezuela research
The recruitment scheme involved a sham company previously reported by Nextgov/FCW that has sought out former U.S. federal employees through fake websites and job postings.
Artificial Intelligence
National Weather Service’s AI translation project lacks long-term plan, watchdog says
A new report from the Government Accountability Office warned that the weather agency “has not developed a long-term plan for the AI translation project because of current uncertainty on how the project will fit into broader NWS efforts.”
Acquisition
Salesforce signs $5.5B contract with the Army
The vehicle will be open to the entire Defense Department and broadens access to the company’s artificial intelligence, data and cloud technologies over the next 10 years.
Cybersecurity
OMB reverses Biden-era software attestation order
A new executive branch memorandum instead allows agencies to lean on software bills of materials, or SBOMs, in lieu of a universal attestation framework.
Acquisition
Treasury cancels all Booz Allen contracts
The cancellations are tied to a former Booz Allen employee, who admitted two years ago to leaking President Trump's tax information and tax data on other wealthy individuals.
People
Man fatally shot by Border Patrol agents was a federal employee at VA
The intensive care unit nurse was 37. His death could have widespread implications for federal operations.
Cybersecurity
CISA to cease participation at RSAC conference after Biden-era cyber leader named CEO
The decision, which has been in motion over the last week, highlights the Trump administration’s push to strictly control how current officials participate in industry events linked to former senior leaders now under White House scrutiny.
Modernization
VA watchdog lists EHR modernization as a major management challenge
VA’s Office of Inspector General said “there remain 32 OIG recommendations that are not fully implemented” as the department moves to resume deployments of its new EHR system in April.
Policy
Tech Bills of the Week: Expanding AI education via NSF; Commerce public awareness campaign; and more
With the Senate out, House lawmakers were busy introducing — and advancing — AI legislation.
Emerging Tech
Getting quantum tech from research to commercialization requires partnership, federal experts say
Federal experts working in quantum information sciences and technology mapped out commercialization paths for quantum technologies, specifically quantum computing, at a Thursday hearing.
Acquisition