Modernization

OMB Updates Data Center Optimization Initiative

The new policy bans agencies from budgeting resources toward new or expanded agency-owned data centers without permission from the Office of Management and Budget.

Policy

Supreme Court to Hear Challenge on State Code Copyrights

Georgia holds a copyright for its annotated state code, which sells for $404, and sued to block a website from distributing free copies of the document.

Policy

White House Wants to Know How Tech Can Help Prevent Veteran Suicides

The Office of Science and Technology Policy is asking for the public to weigh in on its veteran suicide prevention strategy.

Modernization

White House Makes Subtle But Significant Changes In Final Cloud Smart Policy

The final version puts added emphasis on app rationalization, a new role for FedRAMP and finding cloud champions.

Artificial Intelligence

White House Updates National Artificial Intelligence Strategy

The updated National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan adds an additional priority to the seven outlined in the plan from the Obama administration.

Cybersecurity

Bill Advances to Create Vulnerability Disclosure for Federal Internet of Things

Once established, federal agencies would have to make sure vendors were participating and in compliance before purchasing IoT-capable devices.

Digital Government

OPM Leader Threatens Furloughs, RIFs if Congress Doesn’t Approve GSA Merger

The administration has given lawmakers until the end of June to greenlight the merger, or else roughly 150 OPM employees could lose their jobs this fall.

Policy

House Appropriations Package Now Includes Contractor Back Pay

There is still a chance federal contractors unpaid during the 35-day shutdown could get back pay.

Ideas

To Fight Online Disinformation, Reinvigorate Media Policy

Disinformation, toxic speech, and polarization online are a result opaque digital information systems. The fix? We can start by updating the approach of media policy for the new environment.

Emerging Tech

House Oversight Votes to Secure Connected Devices in Government

The committee approved legislation that would enforce basic security standards for the numerous internet-connected devices used at federal agencies.

Modernization

Congress Questions Leadership of VA Health Record Overhaul

Veterans Affairs officials said their upgraded health record platform will start rolling out in March, but lawmakers worry they might be jumping in too soon.

Digital Government

House Panel Approves 3.1% Pay Raise for Feds in 2020

The bill advanced by the House Appropriations Committee to the House floor Tuesday also would increase funding for a number of civilian agencies.

Ideas

OMB’s New ID Policy Will Help Consumers Protect Their Identities Online

America should modernize our existing paper-based identification systems around a privacy-protecting, consumer-centric digital model.

Cybersecurity

DHS Cyber Incident Response Team Gets House Approval

Lawmakers passed legislation that would stand up a permanent team of cyber specialists to help agency and industry recover from digital attacks.

Policy

The True Price of Privatizing Space Travel

As NASA opens up the International Space Station to private astronauts, the romance of space will be within reach for those who can afford it.

Digital Government

‘Space Force’ Shrinks in House Proposal

A bipartisan amendment would trim several generals from the new space-focused component.

Modernization

House Passes Revamped Bipartisan IRS Reform Bill

The Taxpayer First Act would redesign the agency and boost identity theft protection.

Digital Government

Will Trump Object to the Raytheon-United Technologies Merger?

After an analyst said Obama-era opposition to consolidation had dissipated, Trump appeared to signal the opposite.