Front Burner
Cairncross Details Upcoming National Cybersecurity Strategy
MeriTalk reports that the National Cyber Director has announced that the national cybersecurity strategy from the Trump Administration will be released soon with action items to follow.
Interim AI Guidance for US Courts Aims for Experimentation with Guardrails
FedScoop reports that on July 31, the federal judiciary’s artificial intelligence (AI) task force distributed guidance to federal courts on AI use. The guidance encourages experimentation while highlighting the importance of independent output verification.
US Cyber Policy Goals Have Regressed During Trump 2.0 in ‘Unprecedented Setback,’ Landmark Report Says
NextGov/FCW reports that the congressionally-mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) 2.0 released a report warning that the federal government’s cyber policy posture has regressed.
As Agencies Shed Staff, Industry Execs Predict AI Agents’ Rise
Government Executive reports that with the federal workforce expected to shrink by 300,000 employees by the end of 2025, some private sector executives predict that “agentic AI” use will increase. “Agentic AI” tools complete multi-step, reasoning based processes with limited human intervention.
Congressional Update
This Week: Senate to Weigh in on Tariffs, Shutdown Pay for Air Traffic Controllers
Roll Call reports that the partial government shutdown shows no sign of ending. The Senate will vote on tariff-related joint resolutions, judicial nominations, and funding-related measures this week. The House is not in session.
GSA Will be ‘Multiplier for Efficiency and Modernization,’ Nominee for Administrator Says
Government Executive reports that Edward Forst, nominee for General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator, testified before a Senate committee last Thursday. He plans to focus on real estate rightsizing, unifying contracting, small business utilization, and technology transformation.
Despite Failed Senate Vote, Lawmakers ‘Hopeful’ for Reaching Bipartisan Agreement to Pay Feds
Federal News Network reports that although the Senate failed to pass legislation paying excepted federal employees, lawmakers are hopeful that a deal to pay all federal employees will be reached.
Over 60 Lawmakers Press Administration to Reinstate Furloughed Federal Workers at Agencies Unaffected by Republican Shutdown, Resume Their Pay
Over 60 Democratic lawmakers have sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget urging the reinstatement of federal employees at fee-funded agencies like the GSA.
Senate Democrats Grill Inspector General Nominees Over Their Independence from Trump
Government Executive reports that several members of the Senate expressed concerns about nominees for agency inspectors general at the Defense Department, Small Business Administration, and Department of Labor. The nominations will proceed to a Senate floor vote.