People
Trump cyber nominees expected to testify next week, people familiar say
An unreleased telecom vulnerabilities report is being used as leverage to block one of the nominees from full confirmation in the Senate.
Artificial Intelligence
Proposed moratorium on state-level AI regs aims to level the playing field, lawmaker says
Georgia Rep. Rich McCormick, a GOP member of last Congress’ House AI Task Force, spoke on Wednesday night about the need to avoid a jumble of different rules of the road for AI developers.
People
Gerry Connolly remembered for his passion and bipartisanship
The long-time representative from Northern Virginia has died at 75 following a battle with cancer. He is being remembered for his advocacy of federal workers and the contractor community as well as championing initiatives to improve how the government buys goods and services.
Modernization
House bill wants VA to pilot cloud-based medical supply management system
The bipartisan proposal from Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., would direct the agency to test the system at one VA medical facility before potentially expanding it out further.
Modernization
VA hopes to use next year’s EHR rollouts to gain momentum for faster deployments
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said VA is hoping to deploy its new EHR system at 20 to 25 new medical facilities in 2027 as it pursues an accelerated deployment timeline.
Cybersecurity
Industry reps urge Congress to renew backbone cyber information-sharing law
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, a keystone ordinance that lets the private sector share cyber threat information with legal safeguards, expires in September unless renewed by Congress.
Artificial Intelligence
House budget bill would put 10-year pause on state AI regulation
The bill before the House Energy and Commerce Committee under the budget reconciliation process would prevent states from enforcing “any law or regulation” for AI models. It may run afoul of Senate rules.
Digital Government
Republicans want Treasury to study free tax filing options — again
The reconciliation text being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee includes $15 million for the IRS to study how to give Americans free ways to file their taxes that would replace both the Free File and Direct File programs.
Artificial Intelligence
Reconciliation text includes $500 million for modernization and AI at Commerce
The text also includes a prohibition on state-level enforcement of AI laws and regulations.
Digital Government
Senate Dems press HHS over cuts to suicide lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth program
A leaked HHS FY26 budget proposal includes a measure to defund the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services pilot program.
Artificial Intelligence
US dominance in AI needs to occur at every component layer, tech leaders say
Experts testifying in the Senate on Thursday noted how the entire artificial intelligence technology stack needs to be U.S.-led for global dominance in the field.
Cybersecurity
House appropriators question justification for proposed CISA budget cuts
CISA’s $3 billion budget would see a $491 million cut from what it received in fiscal year 2025. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle wanted more detail on the rationale.
Emerging Tech
Industry leaders stress need for National Quantum Reauthorization Act passage
Major tech players hoping to scale their quantum technologies for the commercial market told Congress that the NQI Reauthorization Act is “critical” to these efforts, citing its promotion of partnerships and agency funding.
Modernization
Some Republicans question Trump’s IRS budget cuts
The administration has proposed a $2.5 billion cut to the tax agency.
Emerging Tech
Former NSF heads criticize funding, staff cuts at science agency
Former National Science Foundation and National Science Board leads sent a letter to congressional leadership saying the cuts to the agency run contrary to the Trump administration’s priorities.
Modernization
VA tech panel’s top Democrat worries layoffs will harm EHR rollout
Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., is concerned that staffing vacancies, coupled with the department’s reduction in force plans, will put “more pressure onto the VA to execute on an expedited calendar for implementation” of its new EHR system.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Democrats worry DOGE may have violated privacy, cybersecurity law in taking NLRB data
Last month, a whistleblower accused DOGE affiliates of using secretive methods to take sensitive data from the National Labor Relations Board.
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon hacks ‘a wake up call’ to secure telecom services, lawmakers say
The Cyber Safety Review Board was in the middle of investigating the Salt Typhoon hacks when it was disbanded in January. Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., said the board’s termination “leaves in limbo” the government’s probe into the breach.
Modernization
House lawmakers diverge on DOGE but point to bipartisanship on federal tech
Many of the witnesses opted not to discuss DOGE’s high-profile, controversial work on government tech and data during a Tuesday hearing.
Emerging Tech