Federal Government

The Digital Equity Act, which was originally proposed in 2019, was reintroduced last week by U.S. Sens. Patty Murray, Rob Portman and Angus King — a Democrat, Republican and Independent respectively.

A recent rash of major cyber attacks — some of them linked to Russia — has posed an early test for the Biden administration. The Russian government has been largely unwilling to stop these attacks.

Big tech companies could soon be facing down new antitrust rules if a suite of five bills from the U.S. House gain enough support. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have voiced interest in reining in tech monopolies.

State, local and county governments officials testified that they need continually renewed, flexible funding to fend off increasing cyber threats during a U.S. Senate hearing yesterday.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg addressed the opening session of the Forth Roadmap Conference this week, stressing the need to transform the transportation sector as a central effort to combat climate change.

Recent high-profile cyber attacks against prominent U.S. companies have packed a charge behind efforts to craft more meaningful federal cyber policy. Experts, however, say this is easier said than done.

In nomination hearings, the prospective first-ever national cyber director and CISA director nominees discussed ransomware, cybersecurity staff shortages and how their departments would work together.

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sought to understand why Colonial Pipeline paid ransom to DarkSide and how government can work with or regulate the private sector to prevent another crippling cyber attack.

Experts in quantum computing say the federal government’s continued support of the emerging technology will have implications for state and local government entities, particularly as it applies to economic development.

The Russia-backed hackers behind the massive SolarWinds cyberattack earlier this year are increasing their attacks against the U.S. government, according to analysis by software giant Microsoft.

After Colonial Pipeline Co. fell victim to a disruptive ransomware attack earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security is requiring companies in the space to report future cybersecurity incidents.

The Endless Frontier Act was expected to pass the Senate on Thursday with wide support as the centerpiece of a package of bills meant to kick-start U.S. innovation and boost the nation's competitiveness against China.

Under a forthcoming security directive being issued by the Transportation Security Administration, pipeline operators would reportedly be required to report certain cyber attacks to the Department of Homeland Security.

Eleven years after former President Barack Obama pushed for a national network of high-speed trains, the Biden administration is picking up that torch with a focus on the Sunshine State.

2020 saw the FBI, CISA and local governments collaborate more closely to keep elections secure. Building on these efforts and better engaging private companies and the public will help protect future elections, experts say.

Sen. Charles Schumer has expanded and renamed his Endless Frontier Act to make it a more broad-based effort to combat the current semiconductor shortage, strengthening the U.S. tech sector as it competes against China.

The goal is to provide state and local governments options in financing broadband projects, including the issuance of tax-exempt bonds, public-private partnerships, federal tax credits and bond payment assistance.

Tom Wheeler, former chair of the Federal Communications Commission, explains the public and private interests that will impact how Vice President Kamala Harris brokers a federal broadband infrastructure deal.