Front Burner
VA Leaders say Fixing Budget Shortfall is ‘Job One’ for Trump Administration in Transition Talks
Federal News Network reports that in a press conference last week Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough stated that the greatest priority for the incoming administration should be resolving the budget shortfall created by the increased workload under the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
Polaris Protests Start to Multiply
Polaris, the General Services Administration’s small business information technology (IT) services and solutions vehicle, is now facing seven award protests, reports Washington Technology.
OPM Giving Two Big Employee Data Platforms a Much-Needed Facelift
Federal News Network reports that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is modernizing its Enterprise Human Resources Integration and FedScope platforms.
VA Accounts for Majority of All Agencies’ Safety- and Rights-Impacting AI
According to NextGov, the VA represents 145 of the 227 Federal AI cases that impact the safety and/or rights of American citizens. The “vast majority” are within the Veterans Health Administration.
Supreme Court Sounds Ready to Back TikTok Ban Law
Roll Call reports that based on oral arguments, it appears the Supreme Court is likely to allow the law banning the social media platform TikTok to take effect, barring the divestment from Chinese firm ByteDance Ltd.
Congressional Update
Cabinet Confirmation Hearings Dominate Agenda as Immigration Bills Move Along
Roll Call reports that nomination hearings for the heads of the Departments of Defense, Interior, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Homeland Security, State, and the Office of Management and Budget will all occur this week.
House GOP puts Medicaid, ACA, Climate Measures on Chopping Block
According to Politico, a list originating from the House Budget Committee outlines up to $5.7 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years including $468 billion from repealing the Biden Administration’s climate policies.
Lawmakers Call for a Review of TSA’s Biometric and AI Use
NextGov reports that Republican Leaders on the House Homeland Security Committee have sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office’s Comptroller requesting a “comprehensive review” of the Transportation Security Administration’s implementation of artificial intelligence and biometric technology solutions over concerns of civil liberty infringements.
Senate Bill Would Track Computer Usage of Agency Teleworkers
Senator Joni Ersnt (R-IA) introduced the Requiring Effective Management and Oversight of Teleworking Employees Act, which would require executive department heads to enact policies to track the login activity and network traffic of Federal teleworkers, reports Fedscoop.
Top Oversight Democrat says he’s open to collaborate with the DOGE
NextGov reports that Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, intends to work with the nascent Department of Governmental Efficiency on technology modernization efforts.
Regulatory Tracker
The Coalition’s Regulatory Tracker
As a service to our members, the Coalition is also offering a Regulatory Tracker that lists open FAR and DFARS cases relevant to the Federal procurement community, including synopses and status descriptions. For questions or comments regarding the Tracker, please e-mail Joseph Snyderwine at JSnyderwine@thecgp.org.
Click here to download and view the Tracker.