Digital Government
Agencies Can Fire Employees Who Improperly Burrow In, Court Rules
Decision upholds OPM's push to oust Obama political appointee holdover.
Ideas
Dashboard Displays COVID-19 Disparities by County
Although COVID-19 has swept across the entire country, its burden has not been spread equally.
Cybersecurity
Senate Defense Authorization Amendment Looks to Advance More Secure Software Procurement
Defense officials would outline requirements and procedures with implications for all the federal government.
Artificial Intelligence
GSA’s Centers of Excellence Program Would be Codified in Senate Bill
The bill follows a bipartisan counterpart in the House.
Cybersecurity
CISA Stands to Gain Powers Under Both Versions of the Defense Authorization Bill
An amendment on the Senate-side bill would grant the agency subpoena power over internet service providers.
Artificial Intelligence
Congress Inches Closer to Creating a National Cloud for AI Research
Legislation launched in early June received new attention and support this week.
Digital Government
House Committee Investigates Whether Officials Misled Congress on OPM-GSA Merger
A recent watchdog group report cited notes from a phone call indicating the Trump administration was advised that the merger plan was illegal, an account that is at odds with what OPM officials testified before Congress last year.
Emerging Tech
House Subcommittee Again Takes Aim at Amazon over Ring Surveillance
The subcommittee wants assurances from Amazon that its Ring doorbell camera isn’t being misused by law enforcement.
Digital Government
New Legislation Would Increase Oversight Over Agency Relocations
Measure would require federal officials to conduct detailed cost-benefit analyses and provide them to inspectors general and the public for review before undertaking any effort to move federal agencies.
Artificial Intelligence
DHS Looks to Expand Tracking of Election Interference Through Social Media
The request comes four months before Americans head to the polls.
Policy
Senate Passes Bill to End Payments to Dead People
The bill follows an audit that found the IRS sent $1.4 billion in stimulus checks to deceased individuals.
Digital Government
House Committee Leader Wants Oversight of Pentagon’s Handling of Banned Chinese Gear
One observer says prospects look dim for contractors requesting an extension on compliance with provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Digital Government
What the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Revealing to Federal Chief Data Officers
While some agencies have yet to reveal a chief data officer, others are spinning up new teams, tools and projects to address the global health crisis.
Emerging Tech
Senators Introduce Deepfake-Focused Amendment to Defense Authorization Act
The Deepfake Report Act would require the Homeland Security Department to study the threats posed by manipulated and synthetic media—including text.
Cybersecurity
NASA Watchdog Reports on Why the Agency Still Struggles with Cybersecurity
Almost half of the controls in an overarching shared system were assessed as deficient.
Emerging Tech
Industry Calls on Government to Invest Billions for Developing Secure 5G Networks
Comments to the NTIA also say the administration shouldn’t choose winners and losers to compete with Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Federal Use of Facial Recognition Tech
If passed, federal agencies would not be able to run, fund, purchase or otherwise use data from facial biometric systems without congressional authorization.
Digital Government
Trump Signs Executive Order to Overhaul the Federal Hiring Process
Order seeks to place less emphasis on applicants with college degrees.
Digital Government
Trump Administration Lacks Comprehensive Plan to Reopen Federal Offices, GAO Says
Republicans say feds should swiftly go back to work: "It’s time to take our chances," one argues.
Digital Government