People

Labor Secretary set to leave post for NHL players union, reports say

The news comes as some House Republicans set their sights on oversight for fraud in pandemic-era benefits programs including enhanced unemployment insurance.

Acquisition

Software industry group offers FedRAMP wishlist to OMB, GSA

The recently-passed FedRAMP Authorization Act should be a starting point for the government to remake the certification program in a way that lowers the barrier of entry for cloud solutions, the Alliance for Digital Innovation said in a new letter to OMB and GSA.

Defense

GAO: DOD needs better guidance, resources for contested information environment training

The government watchdog said that while defense officials have emphasized decision-based training for combatting disinformation, its guidance isn't clear about how military leaders are supposed to approach the curriculum.

Policy

Foster still has his eye on digital identity bill in the new Congress

A digital identity verification proposal from Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) didn’t escape the last Congress, but the legislator says that he intends to reintroduce the bill, which would have implications for how the government verifies citizens online.

Acquisition

GSA wants nominations for its new FedRAMP committee

The new Federal Security Cloud Advisory Committee, mandated by the FedRAMP authorization bill passed late last year, will offer recommendations on the cloud security assessment program.

Digital Government

GAO Pegs Unemployment Insurance Fraud Tally at More Than $60 billion

At the same time, the congressional watchdog cautioned that governmentwide fraud estimates are potentially dicey.

Policy

GAO pegs unemployment insurance fraud tally at more than $60 billion

At the same time, the congressional watchdog cautioned that governmentwide fraud estimates are potentially dicey.

Digital Government

'Taxpayer Advocate' pushes for IRS to make its own free, direct e-file system

A new report calls the current e-file program, a collaboration between private tax prep companies and the IRS, greatly underutilized and advises the agency to develop a new system.

Modernization

New HHS data strategy is coming in 'weeks,' CIO says

Data sharing within HHS and beyond the department are still sore spots, but the hope is that a new data strategy could help. 

People

OPM pushes to rebrand government and capitalize on tech layoffs

The Office of Personnel Management is co-hosting a tech job fair on Wednesday. It’s one example of ongoing efforts to rebrand the government as an employer.

People

Feds mull changes to cannabis questions on vetting forms

A plan to modernize intake forms for candidates for government service could include revisions to the type of questions asked about marijuana use.

Digital Government

What's the state of AI accountability in government?

A new report recommends that the federal CIO Council set up a group to work through what exactly AI accountability is and how to achieve it.

Emerging Tech

Gallagher Wants to Ban TikTok, But Says U.S. Ownership Could be a 'Workable Solution'

Congress passed a law to ban the popular app on federal government devices as part of the omnibus funding bill. It doesn't look like lawmakers' about national security and TikTok are waning.

Policy

Gallagher wants to ban TikTok, but says U.S. ownership could be a 'workable solution'

Congress passed a law to ban the popular app on federal government devices as part of the omnibus funding bill. It doesn't look like lawmakers' concerns about national security and TikTok are waning.

People

Exit interview: What the Labor Department's unemployment insurance guru thinks about the state of the system

Is the system ready for the next recession? The Labor Department’s former deputy director for policy at the Office of Unemployment Modernization says it isn’t. She explains why, and talks through problems around fraud, equity and more.

Emerging Tech

Portman Introduces Two Bills on Facial Recognition, AI in Government

The fate of the bills in a lame duck session of Congress is uncertain, but a Portman aide says the outgoing senator wants to be active on the subjects even after retiring.

Policy

Portman introduces two bills on facial recognition, AI in government

The fate of the bills in a lame duck session of Congress is uncertain, but a Portman aide says the outgoing senator wants to be active on the subjects even after retiring.

Digital Government

Agencies are lagging in implementing constituent services law, GAO says

Identity proofing and authentication remains a stumbling block for many agencies to implement a 2019 law meant to help congressional offices to interact with federal agencies on behalf of their constituents, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

Digital Government

Omnibus Spending Bill Includes a Ban of TikTok on Government Devices

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told FCW on Monday that Congress might have more work to do regarding national security implications of popular video-sharing app TikTok in the next session of Congress.