Policy

FCC’s Proposed Change to Orbital Debris Rule Draws Lawmaker Worry

The leaders noted that coordination in this area is important, and the agency’s change could cause confusion.

Policy

Senate reaches a deal to avoid a shutdown, punts threat for 10 weeks

Lawmakers agree to drop controversial provisions, set up new deadline for lame duck Congress.

Policy

Federal agencies are ignoring most building safety concerns flagged by DHS

Lawmakers raise concerns about the non-compliance in light of the recent uptick in threats against feds.

Policy

Bipartisan Senate bill aims to safeguard open source software

The Securing Open Source Software Act would task the Office of Management and Budget with issuing guidance around the secure usage of open source software and give new oversight responsibilities to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Policy

The World Gets Ready to Change the Fundamentals of Measurement, Again

The organization in charge of measurement standards is considering a change to one of the most basic forms of measurement.

Policy

Lawmakers are setting a tight schedule to avoid a government shutdown

Senate Democrats plan to unveil a bill Wednesday, but will hold off on a vote in an effort to rally support for it.

Policy

Is it time to add IT workforce ratings to the FITARA scorecard?

A new report from ACT-IAC recommends changes to the biannual FITARA scorecard, including adding a category measuring IT workforce capabilities.

Policy

Interior’s Body Camera Policy is not Finalized Despite Years of Use, Watchdog Says

Not all Department of Interior bureaus using body cameras have finalized and implemented their policies, which often were not in compliance with the agency’s overall policy or standards.

Policy

Climate Change Poses Threat to U.S. National Security, GAO Says

The Government Accountability Office said federal agencies need to “increase their resilience” to climate risks that endanger technologies like radar sites and the electric grid. 

Policy

House passes bill to prevent civil service overhauls without input from Congress

Despite the support of more than 30 good government groups, Republicans remained largely opposed to the measure.

Policy

Once again, lawmakers ask if it's time to codify the federal CIO role

Federal CIO Clare Martorana told a House panel about the importance of involving technologists in decision-making early and often.

Breaking News Cybersecurity

OMB: New Acquisition Rule Coming for Vendors to Vouch for Their Software Security

Agencies are also allowed to accept to-do lists from vendors who need to keep working up to a point where they can self-attest their compliance with NIST guidance.

Emerging Tech

Senate Dems Call on ICE to Halt Facial Recognition and Buying from Data Brokers

Sens. Ed Markey and Ron Wyden are also pressing the immigration enforcement agency to detail their use of surveillance technologies.

Policy

Senate Dems call on ICE to halt facial recognition and buying from data brokers

Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are also pressing the immigration enforcement agency to detail their use of surveillance technologies.

Policy

Senate bill looks to software licensing for cost savings

A follow-on to the Megabyte Act of 2016 would give agencies new requirements for enterprise software licensing.

Digital Government

FTC Debates Whether Data Privacy Concerns Warrant Market Wide Rules

A Thursday hearing on the matter featured both industry and consumer advocate perspectives on the best regulatory approach.

Policy

Commerce Revises Export Rules to Boost US Standards Development on Critical Tech

The original rule—which banned certain entities from receiving U.S. exports—endangered U.S. participation in international standards bodies where such entities are present, opponents said.

Policy

White House Team Unveils New Recommendations for U.S. Semiconductor Industry Growth

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology introduced new advice to help successfully implement the CHIPS Act and develop an advanced U.S. semiconductor market.

Policy

Recent Grads Often Don’t Consider Federal Employment, Survey Says

Many federal agencies continue to face critical workforce gaps in areas like cybersecurity, IT and automation.

Policy

Federally Funded Research to be Free and Publicly Accessible Under New White House Guidance

A memo issued by the acting director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy requests federal agencies update and implement their public access policies by the end of 2025.