Senate Passes DIGIT Act to Focus on Internet of Things
The Senate voted to pass the Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act last week to establish an interagency panel to provide recommendations and a report on the internet of things. The “internet of things” refers to the growing number of connected and interconnected devices that work in consort with each other to provide services.
Bill Signed into Law to Expand Grants for Early STEM Education
The bipartisan Building Blocks of STEM Act was signed into law just before the Congress’ holiday recess to encourage the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve and expand STEM education initiatives in schools around the country. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), focuses on early childhood STEM education and introducing more women to computer science programs.
Lawmakers Reach Bipartisan Deal on Spending Bills to Avert Year End Shutdown, Grant Pay Raise
Congressional leaders announced an agreement with the White House last week to fund all federal agencies through September 2020. The funding legislation, split into two minibus bills, passed the House on Tuesday and will need to be passed in the Senate and signed by the president before Friday to avert a government shutdown.
Senate, House Committees Complete Conference on NDAA
The NDAA summary report released by the committees includes several provisions impacting the civilian federal workforce. Most notably, the conference agreement provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all federal civilian employees.
Bipartisan Bill Focuses on Drone Manufacturers
Legislation introduced last week by Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) in the House and Rick Scott (R-FL) in the Senate would prohibit the federal government from purchasing drones manufactured in countries identified as national security threats. Lawmakers fear these drones would be a risk to national security.
Appropriations Update: House Passes Continuing Resolution to Fund Government Until Dec. 20
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.
Bipartisan Budget Reform Bill Passes out of Senate Committee
The Senate Budget Committee advanced legislation last week to reform the congressional budget process, the first bipartisan budget reform bill to pass the Committee since 1990.
Lawmakers Push for .Gov Domains for Local Governments
Lawmakers have expressed fears that a mixed bag of domain names for local governments can promote “spoofing” and lead to cyberattacks.
House Legislation Takes Aim at VA Union ‘Bribes’
Legislation introduced to the House of Representatives by Congressman Neal Dunn (R-FL) would bar the Veterans Affairs (VA) secretary from entering into collective bargaining agreements that offer “financial incentives to prospective members.”
Appropriations Update: Senate To Begin Work This Week
The Senate has announced its intention to begin working through appropriations legislation this week.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton Announces Legislative Plan To Recruit More Federal Employees
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced last week that she would introduce the Federal Employee Recruitment Act of 2019 once Congress returns to session following the October recess, which ended today.
Select Committee on Modernizing Congress Receives Task Force Memo
Following the adoption of a House Resolution on improving the efficiency of Congress, Congress created a Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress to review ways to improve the chambers.
Plan To Protect Federal Employee Credit In Shutdown Exits House Committee On Party Line Vote
The House Financial Services Committee voted on Friday to advance a measure that would protect the credit of federal employees impacted by a government shutdown. While the legislation has support in the House, privacy concerns voiced by Republicans could mean the bill faces an uphill battle in the Senate.
Rep. Haaland Introduces BADGES Act With Bipartisan Support
Representative Deb Haaland (D-NM) has formally introduced legislation to improve federal law enforcement reporting mechanisms for missing and murdered indigenous women. The Bridging Agency Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act (BRIDGES Act) was introduced upon the return from recess with 10 cosponsors, five Democrats and five Republicans.
House To Vote On Stopgap Measure
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.
Disaster Contract Bill Aims At Increasing Transparency
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.
Legislative Update: Big Bills Of The Summer
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.
Bill Drafted To Make Domestic Terrorism A Federal Crime
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.