Digital Government

Can a chief data officer reignite federal data strategy?

Tech think tank ITIF wants the White House to revive the Trump-era Federal Data Strategy, which it says has “stalled” with a lack of leadership support.

Modernization

Login.gov is still 'vital' despite setbacks, GSA official says

In a Thursday keynote, Sonny Hashmi talked about the future plans for the single sign-on following a bombshell watchdog report about the program in March.

Digital Government

BSA taps former chief acquisition officer as new procurement lead

The Software Alliance, also known as BSA, is taking on a new focus on procurement with Jessica Salmoiraghi, formerly of the General Services Administration.

Modernization

Debt ceiling politics could derail plans for modernizing unemployment benefits delivery

The department has a plan to build on modular modernization advances piloted in New Jersey, but provisions in the debt ceiling compromise legislation could claw back funding pledged in the American Rescue Plan Act.

Modernization

Budget and tech challenges loom over IRS's direct file pilot

The news of the forthcoming pilot was followed this week by a compromise debt ceiling bill that includes reallocating $20 billion of the funding the IRS got as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Digital Government

SSA says it will offer data matches to government benefit programs

The Social Security Administration offers data validation services for the financial services sector. It now says it plans to offer similar verification services to government benefit programs.

Digital Government

DHS wants answers on how well digital identity systems work

The Science and Technology Directorate is moving forward with another round of testing for its remote identity validation technology demonstration. 

Policy

Carper says he won’t run for fifth Senate term

The Delaware senator has been active in the federal tech space for years, earning a Fed 100 award in the process.

Digital Government

Lawmakers have questions about online passport renewal

Members of Congress are hearing it from constituents on long waits to renew passports and want more info about an online option.

People

EEOC alerts employers to AI discrimination risks

The agency explains how existing civil rights protections apply to artificial intelligence applications in the workplace.

Digital Government

Federal CIO says IDEA Act guidance coming this summer

Clare Martorana discussed the challenge of building out specific steps to get government agency websites to adopt common standards.

Digital Government

Labor Department tests new identity options for accessing unemployment benefits

The Labor Department plans to cover initial costs for digital and in-person identity proofing offerings for states to use in the unemployment system.

Defense

FCW Insider Chat: Defense Tech

Fed100 winners Caroline Bean of DISA’s Joint Enterprise Services Directorate and Air Force Chief Experience Officer Colt Whittall join the podcast to talk about their work. 

Policy

Republicans unemployment fraud bill passes House, gets Senate version

The bill’s passage in the House fell one day after the indictment of one of its cosponsors – Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) – for unemployment fraud.

Cybersecurity

CISA is growing up, CIO says

CISA's Bob Costello talks top priorities, challenges and growing pains and progress for a CIO office in a relatively young federal agency.

Digital Government

NARA has a plan to tackle its backlog, and its inspector general has thoughts

The inspector general of the National Archives and Records Administration wants the agency to consider not making veterans submit requests for records at all.

Modernization

FCW Insider Chat: Cyber and Tech Policy

Technology Modernization Fund Executive Director Raylene Yung and Christian Hoehner of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee join the podcast to talk TMF, FedRamp Authorization and more.

Policy

Biden will veto Republican-led clawback of unemployment funding, White House says

The Office of Management and Budget says that the president would veto a Republican proposal to rescind American Rescue Plan Act funding for unemployment if passed by Congress.

Digital Government

OMB preps guidance on AI in government

The White House hosted top tech CEOs on Thursday, and announced new measures meant to address AI—including coming draft guidance around the use of AI in government agencies.

Policy

New bill would add disclosure requirements for AI in political ads

A new bill from Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) comes shortly after the Republican National Committee released a new ad using generative artificial intelligence.