Stimulus
States Snag $240M to Combat Unemployment Fraud
The federal grant funding can be used to pay for identity verification services, cybersecurity, or other expenses related to fraud detection.
IG: SBA’s Cybersecurity ‘Not Effective,’ In Part Due to COVID
The pandemic created new cybersecurity problems for the Small Business Administration, according to the agency’s annual FISMA report.
New Treasury Office Will Oversee Covid Relief and Recovery Programs
Billions in state and local government aid is part of the office's portfolio.
Congress Gave OMB $1B for IT Upgrades. Now It Wants to Know How It Will Be Spent
Lawmakers want to know which projects will get prioritized and which will be recused from repaying the fund.
President Biden: COVID Relief Needs ‘Fastidious Oversight’
The American Rescue Plan is the latest in the federal government’s historic pandemic spending.
Draft Senate COVID Relief Bill Includes $1B for Technology Modernization Fund
The fund gets a second chance at a boost after a $9 billion proposal didn’t make it to the House-passed bill.
IG: ‘Tens of Billions’ in Fraudulent Unemployment Claims in 2020
A Labor Department Inspector General memo suggests a massive uptick in fraudulent unemployment claims brought on by COVID-19.
Americans Still Need a Lifeline Despite Trillions in Coronavirus Aid
About two-thirds of families that suffered job losses or reduced wages during the pandemic still reported facing serious financial hardship.
Biden-Harris Admin Proposes $10B in New IT and Cyber Funding for Federal Agencies
The administration wants to add $9 billion to the Technology Modernization Fund and give CISA a boost.
SBA Relaunches COVID Loan Program As Watchdog Warns About Possible Fraud
The recent COVID relief package included funding for a third round of the program, which has come under much scrutiny.
Nine Major Takeaways From the Omnibus and Coronavirus Relief Packages
Funding boosts and hiring pushes are coming for many federal agencies.
Transportation IG to Examine Security of Financial Systems Dispersing CARES Act Funds
A new audit will hone in on the security controls of systems being used at the Federal Transportation Department.
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Pandemic-Fighting Supercomputer Gains Upgrade through Coronavirus Relief Funds
And boosts to other U.S. supercomputing systems are likely on the horizon.
IRS Leader Defends Agency’s Stimulus Check Performance
Lawmakers questioned whether lagging IT modernization efforts caused delays or missing financial relief payments for some Americans.
Oversight Democrats Want at Least $1B for Technology Upgrades in Next Relief Bill
Lawmakers make the case that the funding should be included in any coronavirus relief package that comes to a vote to help address IT systems struggling due to surge in demand.
Industry Group Urges Congress to Extend CARES Clause to Reimburse Government Contractors
The Professional Services Council called on Congress to extend Section 3610 authority in order to sustain the contracting workforce in a letter to leadership Thursday.
Coronavirus Fraudsters Keep Prosecutors Busy
State AGs track millions in false loan and unemployment claims.
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.
Pandemic Oversight Committee Launches Contract Spending Tracker
The committee had stated in its first report that financial management could be a top challenge for agencies.
Weeding Out Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Just Became More Difficult
Millions of out-of-work Americans are filing for unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic and fraudsters are using the unprecedented crush of filings to take advantage.
