Exclusive Modernization

TMF at the tipping point

The government’s revolving fund to help agencies jumpstart IT modernization and cybersecurity projects is at a “critical juncture,” in terms of funding and congressional support, according to the General Services Administration, which administers the fund.

Exclusive Acquisition

House lawmaker presses DOD to exclude Chinese display companies from military contracts

BOE Technology Group and Tianma Microelectronics would be added to the DOD’s 1260H restriction list.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

House bill pitches interagency task force to counter Chinese hacking threats

CISA and FBI leadership would oversee the group, aimed at coordinating federal efforts to stop Chinese cyber intruders from breaching critical infrastructure and other key systems.

Artificial Intelligence

House bill looks to expand Energy’s AI research and development

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said the bipartisan proposal would “position the Department of Energy to develop high-performance platforms, responsibly cultivate training data and improve energy efficiency to support safe AI innovation.”

Digital Government

CX bill passes Senate committee

The proposal is one of many that moved through House and Senate committees this week, including a transparency bill that brings additional congressional oversight to the General Services Administration.

Modernization

Agencies score record number of A's on latest FITARA scorecard

GAO Information Technology and Cybersecurity Director Carol Harris said the biannual review has saved the government a total of roughly $31.4 billion since it first began in 2005.

Artificial Intelligence

House of Representatives adopts baseline policy for AI use

The framework developed by the Committee on House Administration and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer is meant to be built upon as artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities evolve.

Digital Government

Veterans Crisis Line looks to balance anonymity with location tools

Matthew Miller, the executive director of VA’s office of suicide prevention, said crisis line responders “want to be very careful how much we pursue information from the veteran, unless it's absolutely necessary to provide them with the highest quality care.”

Cybersecurity

As elections loom, key US cyber policy goals still unfinished, Cyber Solarium report says

Incomplete tasks include creating a cyber national guard system, a real-time cyber threat sharing platform, and a national plan for restoring economic functions after a cyber disaster.

Artificial Intelligence

Senate Dems ask OMB for more regulations, support to mitigate algorithm bias

Sens. Ed Markey and Chuck Schumer are seeking updated guidance and organizational structures to prevent artificial intelligence from discrimination.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

House China hawks look to curb Transportation Department’s LiDAR purchases

Cybersecurity experts say foreign adversaries’ LiDAR can open backdoors into military systems and other sensitive equipment.

Cybersecurity

Chinese-made cargo equipment enables cyber, espionage risks in US ports, congressional probe finds

China’s embassy in D.C. denied the findings and accused the U.S. of exacerbating supply chain security risks.

Modernization

VA needs stricter oversight for EHR deployment, top Republican says

Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., who chairs the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, said he appreciated VA’s engagement with Congress “about establishing some metrics that Oracle has to abide by in order to keep this moving forward.”

Policy

House lawmakers press Meta over illicit drug ads

In a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, lawmakers said they were “continuously concerned that Meta is not up to the task” of keeping ads for illegal drugs off of its sites.

Cybersecurity

House lawmakers join effort to remove flagged Chinese tech from telecom networks

The companion proposal to a Senate bill would allocate an additional $3 billion to the Federal Communications Commission to help fund its ‘rip and replace’ reimbursement program.

Digital Government

United Nations approves controversial cybercrime treaty

Last week, the United Nations voted to adopt a new cybercrime convention applying to all member states, drawing ire from civil society groups over data privacy risks.

Digital Government

Lawmakers look to extend COVID-19 telehealth med exemption for veterans

A bipartisan House bill would allow VA clinicians to prescribe veterans with controlled medications through the targeted extension of a pandemic-era waiver.

Artificial Intelligence

Major tech companies pledge efforts to monitor AI-based content ahead of 2024 election

Senate Intel Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., received responses from 19 tech companies pledging actions like content moderation, airtight watermarking and strict licensing practices.